Whilst the score-line might suggest otherwise, Welling United were tested in their pre-season friendly with Lewes.

In the initial stages the visitors were the better team and might have done better when gifted an opening, but Wings’ goalkeeper Sam Jackson was relieved to be able to claim an attempted chip with ease.

Tony Russell’s team continued to press and went ahead after twenty-three minutes. Their right wing-back pulled it back for their striker to fire home from the edge of the area.

The Welling striker who impressed at Chatham six days earlier had a chance to level when Lewes struggled to clear but their goalkeeper made a point-blank range save. The trialist continued to bother the Lewes defenders and intercepted a back pass but his shot was deflected over.

However, Lewes continued to enjoy the better of the first half and their goal-scorer went close again but Jackson did well to turn his shot over.

After the break, Manny Power met a Bradley Ryan free kick, but his header lacked power and was claimed comfortably before Lewes had another good opportunity however, second half goalkeeper Prince Adegoka was out quickly to block a shot.

Both teams made multiple changes and the pendulum swung Welling’s way. With seventeen minutes remaining, Ash Nzala got down to the bye-line and squared for the trialist striker to score. Then, three minutes later, Nzala headed Welling ahead.

They made it three in ten minutes when it fell for Stefan Payne to fire home, and it might have been four moments later when Ade Azeez fired just wide.

Warren Feeney has one pre-season fixture left to decide upon the trialists that he wishes to add to his squad, and his starting line-up for Welling’s first league game.

Attendance: 386

Images courtesy of Dave Budden