Inspired substitutions helped Welling United to three points over strugglers Hungerford Town.

After a slow first half, Welling had controlled the second period but it was only after Steve King made changes that they scored the goals that took them to the top of the league.

Although they have had a couple of disappointing cup exits, they have only lost once in the league since August 14^th and sit on the top on merit.

Thierry Audel had the only effort on target for either team in the first half hour but his header was tipped over by Jacob Weaver.

However, Welling went ahead in the thirty-third minute when Danny McNamara burst down the wing and laid it off for Nassim L’Ghoul. The impressive Frenchman found Bradley Goldberg on the edge of the area and he turned to fire into the bottom corner.

For some reason Welling then got a little clumsy. Rhys Kavanagh fed onto a short back-pass but Dan Wilks was out quickly to make a block tackle to stop him getting a shot away.

Daniolo Orsi-Dadomo then shot wide before setting up the equaliser. He somehow managed to find Matt Jones who was allowed to advance too easily before firing home inside the near post.

Going in level probably hurt the Wings and they came out after the break with far more intensity and purpose.

L’Ghoul and Goldberg both had shots beaten out then both had efforts just off target.

Brendan Kiernan had a shot saved then L’Ghoul was again just off target before King made his first change when bringing on Danny Mills for Matt Paterson. This was followed soon after with Montel Agyemang replacing John-Paul Kissock.

Two minutes later Welling went ahead. Mills sent a towering header towards the far post that was finished by L’Ghoul who had the desire to get there despite knowing that he was going to crash into the post.

One of many wild challenges on him ended his afternoon in the 79^th minute with Gavin McCallum replacing him after his injury lay-off.

King has always insisted on the importance of having a strong presence on the bench and this was borne out by the fact that the three substitutes combined for the last minute goal that killed the game off. Agyemang’s deep corner was put back across for Mills to force home from close range.

That put Welling top although it will only be for three days if Torquay United win at Dartford on Tuesday night.

 

Welling United: Wilks, McNamara, Braham-Barrett, Ijaha, Ambroisine, Audel, Kiernan, Kissock, Paterson (Mills 69), Goldberg, L’Ghoul (McCallum 78).

Subs not used: Orlu, Genovesi.

 

Hungerford Town: Weaver, Johnson-Schuster (A Whittingham 80), Jones, Rusby, Ekpiteta, Martin, Kavanagh (Rose 83), Herring, Orsi-Dadomo, R Whittingham (Hargreaves 75), Foxley.

Subs not used: Lynch, ten-Grotenhuis.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Goldberg (33), L’Ghoul, Mills (90)

Yellow cards: Goldberg, Kiernan

Red cards: None

 

Hungerford Town:

Goalscorers: Jones (45)

Yellow cards: Kavanagh, R. Whittingham

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Ryan Atkin

Assistants: Aurel Onita and Jonathan Bolland

 

Attendance: 404

 

Welling star player: Danny McNamara

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.