Victory over Poole Town took Welling United away from the relegation zone.

Their two recent away draws would have counted for little had they failed in this match, but after a sluggish start, Welling took control and deserved their three points.

After three matches with no Welling debuts, things returned to normal as they gave first starts to their front two of Florent Bojaj and Elijah Phipps.

Dillon Barnes, whose loan has been extended for another two months, was called upon in the opening minutes to make an outstanding save from Jez Bedford.

Joe Healy shot over and Christian Nanetti had one saves before Warren Bentley claimed a penalty when tumbling under pressure from Jack Parkinson but referee Rob Whitton waved the appeals away.

Jack Dickson went on a strong run down the right wing and fired in a cross shot that came back off the inside of the far post but that was as good as it got for the Dolphins.

Bojaj might have opened his Wings account just before the break but his shot clipped the post and went behind.

Immediately after the break Connor Dymond sent Elijah Phipps away but Carl Pettefer brought him down right on the edge of the area and was lucky to escape a yellow card. Healy took the free kick but launched it well over.

Bojaj then sent Eli Phipps away but he shot wide when he looked sure to open the scoring.

He did not have long to wait before opening his Welling account though. Connor Dymond won a tackle and freed Jeffrey Monakana. He found Phipps who showed great composure in working himself a shot that was too powerful for Nick Hutchings to keep out.

Bentley looked like he was away for Poole but Parkinson got back superbly to make a clean tackle and soon after, Welling doubled their lead.

Monakana was again the creator with a superb cross that Healy met with a header that gave Hutchings no chance.

Although Poole had a late flurry with Lewis Lindsay having a header cleared off the line by Parkinson, and Jake Smeeton hitting the bar, there was to be no denying the Wings.

Welling United: Barnes, Dymond, Jefford, Phipps H, Coyle, Parkinson, Monakana, Healy, Bojaj (Durojaiye 85), Phipps E (Macklin 71), Nanetti (Pattisson 81). Subs not used: Jebb, Francis.

Poole Town: Hutchings, Cooper (Lee 55), Smeeton, Spetch (Lindsay 38), Whisken, Pettefer (Balmer 71), Dickson, Devlin, Bentley, Bedford, Harfield. Subs not used: Moore, Baggie, Balmer.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: E. Phipps (54), Healy (70)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

 

Poole Town:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Robert Whitton

Assistants: Joseph Stokes and Jamie Wells

Attendance: 452

Welling star player: Connor Dymond

Images courtesy of Dave Budden