When Welling United were beaten one week earlier, manager Jamie Coyle demanded a positive reaction and that was just what he got when they played St. Albans City.

Ben Jefford and Jack Jebb were restored to the starting line up whilst Jamie Philpot, on a one moth loan from Millwall, was handed his debut.

Early half chances went to both teams. Jack Parkinson headed a Jebb corner wide then Zane Banton dithered and missed a chance before he shot over moments later.

Philpot had a shot deflected wide before Sam Merson’s near post volley flew the wrong side of the near post from David Noble’s corner.

Jebb hit a free kick well over and Philpot drew a couple of comfortable saves out of Dean Snedker as Welling started to get on top.

Rhys Murrell-Williamson slung in a dangerous free kick for St Albans that Bailey Vose had to punch away but Welling again moved forwarded menacingly and Jebb’s shot from Bradley Goldberg’s pass nicked the framework of the goal on the way past.

Goldberg had the last shot of the half from Joe Healy’s pull back but it was blocked bravely at the cost of a corner.

The same player had the first chance of the second half as well. Philpot held up well and gave Jebb the opportunity to find Goldberg. The Welling striker made room for himself before firing low towards the bottom corner but Snedker got down to make an outstanding save.

Somewhat against the run of play, the visitors went ahead. Murrell-Williamson twisted into the area and went over Ryan Hall’s trailing leg. A penalty was awarded and Noble converted.

However, Welling showed their grit and equalised immediately when Goldberg spun on the edge of the area to give Snedker no chance with his screamer.

Within five minutes, Welling went ahead. Hall put the disappointment of conceding the penalty behind him when putting over a deep delivery that Parkinson met with a first time finish.

Noble tested Vose with a free kick that he held at the second attempt but it was Welling who were soon on the attack again and they almost scored a wonder goal. A clearance came out as far as Connor Dymond and his ‘Rabona’ kick from twenty yards beat Snedker but also the far post.

Despite having not played together before, the Goldberg / Philpot partnership appeared to be gelling quickly and Goldberg went close again at the far post after good work by Philpot.

Their combination was evident again when Welling gave themselves the insurance of a third goal. Olumide Durojaiye came off the bench to send Goldberg away but as Snedker came out he squared for Philpot to roll into the empty net.

Once again, the two strikers teamed up to allow Hall a shot but his powerful drive brought another excellent save out of Snedker.

Although substitute Shaun Lucien showed a bit of trickery down the left wing, St Albans didn’t threaten again and their hopes were summed up by a wild shot by Tom Bender that flew out of the ground and over the road.

 

Welling United: Vose, Driver, Jefford, Dymond, Acheampong, Parkinson, Jebb, Healy (Durojaiye 67), Goldberg, Philpot (Nanetti 90+), Hall.

Subs not used: Coyle, Johnson.

 

St. Albans City: Snedker; Herd, Bender, Noble, Moore-Azille (Bradbury 78), Kiangebeni, Murrell-Williamson, Sambou, Merson (Walker 78), Monlouis (Lucien 78), Banton.

Subs not used: Gardiner, Eadie.

 

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Goldberg (51), Parkinson (55), Philpot (72)

Yellow cards: Parkinson, Healy

Red cards: None

 

St. Albans City:

Goalscorers: Noble pen (50)

Yellow cards: Kiangebeni

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Josh Smith

Assistants:Joseph Stokes and Kane Dempster

 

Attendance: 517

 

Welling star player: Bradley Goldberg

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.