Despite being so short of players that they were unable to fill the bench, Welling United were good value for their victory over league leaders Torquay United.

For the seventh game in a row, Welling have been unable to name a full sixteen but their win over Torquay was their fifth success in that spell.

In just the second minute Torquay had a good chance. Jake Andrews crossed for Saikou Janneh but he headed well over from close range.

Then Welling’s walking wounded number was increased as Thierry Audel limped off to be replaced by Richard Orlu who was returning from a spell of his own on the sidelines.

Jack Barham then had a shot deflected wide after Danny Mills had headed a long free kick back across goal before Mills registered Welling’s first effort on target with a header that brought a breath-taking save out of Shaun MacDonald. Orlu, following up, was unable to find the target from an unfavourable angle.

Dan Wilks then incurred the wrath of the referee. He was out quickly as Torquay went over the top but got himself in a pickle after getting past a couple of players. He made an untidy but not dangerous challenge on Andrews as it got away from him and the referee cautioned him. Andrews got up to touch the free kick back to Connor Lemonheigh-Evans but his shot went well wide.

Almost on the stroke of half time Welling went ahead. David Ijaha’s well weighted pass sent Barham beyond the two centre backs. MacDonald started to come out then stopped leaving him in no-man’s land. Someone of Barham’s goal-scoring pedigree was never going to miss out and his measured lob floated into the empty net.

Soon after the break, Andrews shot wide for Torquay before Welling doubled their lead. Kiernan’s cross was half cleared as far as Ijaha and his rocket into the far corner gave MacDonald no chance.

After Lemonheigh-Evans drew a comfortable save out of Wilks, Jamie Reid went close with a shot that went narrowly wide after a tight turn.

Kiernan’s thirty yard free kick was saved without too much trouble by MacDonald before Orlu headed Asa Hall’s effort over his own goal at the expense of a corner. Andrews delivered and Kyle Cameron’s header came back off the post.

Having been booked in the first half, Cameron was fortunate not to receive a second caution for an awful challenge on Kiernan. He escaped with a stern warning but under a minute later he fouled Mills and was shown a second yellow.

Although Torquay continued to try and get themselves back into the game, Welling contained them well. Ben Wynter had two shots saved by Wilks but neither was too difficult.

Substitute Bradley Goldberg had a shot saved by MacDonald before Reid drew a good late save out of Wilks.

Soon after the final whistle was blown and the Welling team were able to rest their weary legs.

Welling United: Wilks, Gibbons, Braham-Barrett, Ijaha, Acheampong, Audel (Orlu 12), Kiernan, Mendy, Mills, Barham (Goldberg 88), McCallum (Anau 78).

Subs not used: Agyemang.

Torquay United: MacDonald, Wynter, Davis, Sendles-White (Koue Niate 53), Hall, Keating (Vincent 70), Janneh, Lemonheigh-Evans, Cameron, Andrews (Lumbombo-Kalala 53), Reid.

Subs not used: Burton, Dickson.

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Barham (45), Ijaha (51)

Yellow cards: Wilks

Red cards: None

Torquay United:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Cameron x 2, Sendles-White, Lemonheigh-Evans

Red cards: Cameron

Referee: Ryan Atkins

Assistants: Brett Grant and Tom Danaher

Attendance: 808

Welling star man: Richard Orlu

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.