Although results are not vital in pre-season friendlies, Welling United enjoyed victory over a young Watford side.

On another extremely warm and humid afternoon, manager Steve King made changes to the starting line-up and also took the opportunity to tinker with his formation.

One change was enforced as Welling had accepted an offer from Billericay Town for Adam Coombes so new signing Danny Mills, on a one season loan from Ebbsfleet United, came in to lead the attack. Mills had made his name at Whitehawk under King and that earned him his move to Ebbsfleet so it’s a reunion that promises plenty.

Last season, Mills spent the second half of it on loan at Dartford including the play-offs and he twice played in play-off deciders at Whitehawk so he knows all about being at the right end of the table.

He was quickly into the action with a diving header from a Jack Jebb corner that flew just over.

However, Watford soon got into their stride creating opportunities of their own. A good passing move sent Michael Folivi away but he fired over from just inside the penalty area.

Alex Jakubiak then burst through but Dan Wilks timed his advance perfectly to close the angle and block the shot with his legs.

Mills had a header for Welling tipped over from captain Craig Braham-Barrett’s cross before Jebb tried his luck from distance that Sam Howes saved comfortably.

Jebb’s dead-ball quality was soon evident again with a delivery met by Thierry Audal but he was unable to keep his header down.

Wilks again showed his ability to read danger when Randeell Williams got in behind and, once more, he was out quickly to block Williams’ drive.

Thirty-four minutes were on the clock when the dead-lock was broken. Mills harassed Joy Mukena into getting himself caught in possession on the edge of his own area and as Howes raced out, Mills poked it home.

Gavin McCallum then swung over a deep cross that Mills put back across the face of goal but Bradley Goldberg was just unable to reach it to finish.

Watford levelled with a fine solo goal by Jakubiak who finished with a shot that gave Wilks no chance just four minutes after going behind.

They might have gone ahead before the break but Williams side-footed wide then Folivi headed over from a deep cross.

After the break, Williams sliced a Jebb corner just wide of his own goal before Welling regained the lead. Mills turned provider when setting up an un-named trialist who finished in style.

Nassim L’Ghoul then came on as a substitute to cause havoc down the left wing. Following a couple of raids that came to nothing, he set up the third Welling goal. Once more he left defenders in his wake as he burst to the bye-line before pulling back for fellow substitute Nathaniel Pinney to tuck away.

Chances were few and far between after that but one L’Ghoul through ball sent another un-named substitute away for a shot that produced an outstanding save from Howes.

One more chance was created with L’Ghoul at the start and end of a move that brought another save out of Howes.

Welling’s next pre-season challenge is a visit to Dover Athletic on Tuesday evening.

 

Welling United: Wilks, Gibbons, Braham-Barrett, Mendy, Audal, Acheampong, Jebb, Kissock, Mills, Goldberg, McCallum.

Substitutes included: Dymond, Ambroisine, L’Ghoul, Pinney.

 

Watford: Howes, Faulkeier, Tricker, Mukena, Hudson, Charles, Perreira, Folivi, Jakubiak, Forster, Williams.

Substitutes included: Eleftheriou, Adebiyi, Suckling, Cassidy, Phillips, Hoskins.

 

Referee: Graeme Ions

Assistants: Harry Wager and Jerry Annadale

Man of the Match: Danny Mills

 

Welling

Goals: Mills (34), Trialist (55), Pinney (73)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

 

Watford

Goals: Jakubiak (38)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Images courtesy of Dave Budden