At the end of an eventful afternoon, Welling United were delighted to come away with all three points to increase the buffer between them and the teams in the relegation zone.

They came out quickly against their top five opposition and Nick Hutchings had to be alert to dive and push Harry Crawford’s shot around the post.

However, the Poole’s goalkeeper’s next taste of the action was less impressive. Rhys Murrell-Williamson’s corner was headed back across goal by Rickie Hayles and Hutchings, in his efforts to get around Will Spetch, could only palm it into his own net.

Alex Cathline came close to making it two before Murrell-Williamson saw his effort clatter against the crossbar.

Danny Waldren fired in a shot that was blocked by a defender’s raised arm but nothing was given however Welling’s next foray into the area did result in a spot kick. Lewis Tallack was adjudged to have brought down Murrell-Williamson and Crawford sent Hutchings the wrong way.

Both sides had half chances in the remainder of the half but Ali Fuseini, for the hosts, and Abdulai Baggie and Marvin Brooks for the visitors, all failed to hit the target.

After the break, Waldren and Crawford both came close before Steve Devlin put a free kick over the wall and over the bar.

Luke Roberts headed wide from a Devlin corner before Wings’ substitute Vas Karagiannis had a deflected shot saved.

Crawford then rounded Hutchings but took it too wide and couldn’t get a shot away before Roberts burst through only to be thwarted by a good save by Chris Lewington.

He was called into action again soon after when Roberts again found himself one on one with the Wings’ goalkeeper, and he made an even better save as Roberts tried to slot it past him.

If those two saves were good, his next one was stunning. A cross came over and Brooks met it with a crisp volley that Lewington turned away at close range.

Tom Killick, Poole’s manager, was sent to the stand for entering the pitch to dispute a poor refereeing decision by Elliott Kaye.

Seven minutes remained when another poor decision presented Poole with a life line. Sean Francis was adjudged to have pushed Roberts in the area. Devlin stepped up and fired down the middle as Lewington dived.

Waldren came close to restoring Welling’s two goal lead with a free kick that Hutchings dived to turn around the post.

Dan Walker then found himself clean through but Hutchings was again equal to the challenge, saving well.

It did not prove to be crucial as Poole did not create another chance.

When questioned about the penalty decision afterwards, Welling captain Francis said “Never a penalty. I won the ball with my head and my arms were down by my side.”

 

Welling United: Lewington, Fish (Richards 78), Brown, Fuseini, Hayles, Francis, Walker Waldren, Cathline (Amu 87), Crawford, Murrell-Williamson (Karagiannis 61).

Subs not used: Agu, Leacock.

 

Poole Town: Hutchings, Tallack, Moore, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer (Cooper 65), Burbidge, Devlin, Roberts, Brooks, Baggie.

Subs not used: Rees, Gillespie, Askew.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Hutchings o.g. 6, Crawford (pen) 23

Yellow cards: Cathline, Richards

 

Poole:

Goalscorers: Devlin (pen) 84

Yellow cards: Devlin, Spetch

Red cards: Killick (manager)

 

Referee: Elliott Kaye

Assistants: N. Adams and J. Packman

 

Attendance: 465

 

Welling star player: Chris Lewington

Pictures supplied by David Brown.