Having started the evening bottom of the league, Welling United finished it above the relegation zone.

In fairness, the result had been coming. In the last two games they were superior for an hour before failing. However, against Eastbourne Borough, they stayed strong to see the game out.

There is no doubt that their forward players complement each other well and they came out flying.

Adam Coombes created a chance for himself then Danny Waldren fired wide at the end of a great team move.

Pierre Joseph-Dubois fired a shot that was blocked when he might have passed to Dean Morgan in space but he soon made up for that.

Ali Fuseini fired wide before Chris Lewington was forced to make a save from Elliott Romain. It was a quick break from that chance that set Welling on their way. Dubois-Joseph timed his run to perfection to collect a through ball before slotting beyond Lewis Carey.

Unfortunately, their one defensive lapse of the match was punished with a goal. The otherwise imperious Sean Francis came for a clearance he was never going to make and Miguel Baptista crossed to the far post where Craig McAllister headed home unmarked.

McAllister might have added a second with a shot on the turn moments later, but Jordon Brown got back to clear off the line.

Waldren brought a diving save out of Carey as Welling came back and Coombes had a free kick saved on the stroke of half time.

Joseph-Duboios added his and Welling’s second four minutes after the break. Fuseini’s shot was parried out by Carey and Joseph-Dubois pounced on the rebound to fire home.

Fuseini saw Carey off his line and tried a forty five yarder but it went just over as Welling took control.

Coombes came very close with an overhead scissors kick and Morgan was thwarted by a brilliant save by Carey after good work by the impressive Lyle Della-Verde.

Dan Walker came on as a late substitute and scored his first Welling goal in injury time. Lewington punched a free kick clear, Fuseini broke away on the counter and it was switched out to Walker on the far side who finished confidently.

“Our first home win, it’s been a long time coming” admitted Welling manager Mark Goldberg  “I’m delighted with the performance as well and the fact that everyone dug in.

“Everyone’s been questioning, including myself, our energy levels but I want to tell you something today that I think it was all about heart today. I think they found that extra gear and that extra energy because they wanted to win so badly.”

Talking about the changes to the management, he said “ Damian (Matthew) was coming in for a six month period, initially, to set up the academy. The six months are up. Unfortunately the academy hasn’t been able to materialise, so we’ve agreed that Damian will look for other work elsewhere.

In the meanwhile I’ve decided to revamp the area of fitness as well and the goalkeeping coach has left on his own accord”

His team can now prepare for the start of their cup campaign with a massive boost to their confidence.

 

Welling United: Lewington, Nelson, Brown, Fuseini, Francis, Hayles, Joseph-Dubois, Waldren, Morgan, Coombes, Della-Verde.

Unused Substitutes: Johnson, Agu, Jackson, Walker, Slabber.

 

Eastbourne Borough: Carey, Hare (O’Reilly 74), Stone, Hughes (Worrall 84), Khinda-John, Dutton, Baptista, Cooper, McAllister (Pinney 69), Romain, McCallum.

Unused substitutes: Aziaya, Street.

 

Referee: Lee Venamore

Assistants: Isaac Searle and Steven Scott

 

Attendance: 406

 

Welling star player: Pierre Joseph-Dubois: