After a break from league action Welling United looked to get back into their stride again with a game against Weston-super-Mare.

So tight is the league that victory took them back up to third but defeat would have left Welling in eighth place, above Hemel Hempstead Town on goal difference.

Danny McNamara was drafted in on a one month loan from Millwall as cover for Jordan Gibbons who will be out for a few weeks with a haematoma in his leg.

Starting quickly, Welling almost went ahead in the opening minutes when Yannis Ambroisine’s acrobatic volley was tipped onto the crossbar by Luke Purnell. Eventually it came to Nassim L’Ghoul but Purnell had recovered to make a flying save.

His third save followed soon after when he turned another L’Ghoul shot around the post and it came as no surprise when Welling went ahead. L’Ghoul was again involved when playing inside to Montel Agyemang who found David Ijaha on the edge of the penalty area. He picked his spot with a fierce drive that gave Purnell no chance.

Another good move involving L’Ghoul almost brought a second for Welling when his near post cross was met by Matt Paterson who flicked it over.

Moments later, Weston equalised. Alex Byrne sent debutant Marlon Jackson clear. Dan Wilks came out and his hurried clearance came out as far as Tom Llewellyn forty yards out and the youngster sent it back over the head of a retreating defender and into the net.

However, Welling soon restored their lead when Paterson collected a long pass skilfully, flicked it past a defender and lobbed it over Purnell and in off the far post.

He almost added a third when he showed good close control to engineer a shot but it flew well over.

At the other end Jackson brought down a long ball down but fired well over then Gethyn Hill was rushed into shooting wide of the near post.

When the teams came out after the interval, Weston enjoyed plenty of possession but Welling kept their shape and their defence held firm.

It was Welling who had the best of the few opportunities that were created and Purnell again came to the Seagulls’ aid when sticking out a right foot to keep out a Paterson shot.

Purnell made another save from Kiernan’s low shot towards the near post before George Nurse fired over for Weston from a well worked corner.

Once more Welling came close when Ambroisine headed an Agyemang free kick across goal but Thierry Audel was unable to head home.

Weston threw players forward and Jake Lee flicked a header wide before Gethyn Hill fired over when well placed.

However, that did make them susceptible to a counter-attack and Welling made one count. Agyemang broke down the right and squared to L’Ghoul who saw off his defender before rounding Purnell and slotting home.

That proved to be the final piece of the action as Welling claimed the three points that moved them to three points off the top.

Welling United: Wilks, McNamara (Orlu 90), Genovesi, Ijaha, Ambroisine, Audel, Kiernan, Agyemang, Paterson (Goldberg 73), Mills, L’Ghoul. Subs not used: Marsh-Brown, Mendy, Kissock.

Weston-super-Mare: Purnell, McGrory, Nurse, Byrne, Pope, Bower, Hill, Lee, Jackson (Lucas 77), Myris-Williams (Swallow 63), Llewellyn. Subs not used: Kingston, Morris-Edwards, Thomas-Barker.

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Ijaha (7), Paterson (21), L’Ghoul (90+)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Weston-super-Mare:

Goalscorers: Llewellyn (19)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Robert Whitton

Assistants: Jeffrey Aldous and Alastair Higgs

Attendance: 622

Welling star player: Montel Agyemang

Images courtesy of Dave Budden