An ultimately comfortable victory over Oxford City moved Welling United five points clear of the relegation zone.

Both teams came into the game on the back of a two week break and that might explain the rustiness exhibited in the first half.

Defences allowed attacks chances that the strikers failed to take in a ragged 45 minutes but Welling improved in all areas after the break.

They could have gone behind in the early minutes when Lee Henderson headed over from a free kick when allowed to rise unopposed.

Michael Fondop then sent Tom Winters clear but Sam Hatton got back to make a tremendous last ditch tackle.

Matt Fish then came round to make another crucial tackle that was timed perfectly at the cost of a corner. Sadly, some Oxford players did not agree and crowded the referee demanding a penalty which will mean the club will be fined.

Adam Coombes then had a header cleared as Welling started to come into the game, and the Wings’ leading scorer thought that he had opened the scoring from a free kick but Craig Hill made a brilliant save.

Harry Crawford was next to miss a great opportunity when heading over after Rickie Hayles nodded on a Danny Waldren free kick.

Coombes headed wide of the near post early in the second half before turning provider for the opening goal. His low cross was only cleared into the path of Pierre Joseph-Dubois and he made no mistake with a low drive into the bottom corner.

One became two four minutes later when Crawford burst down the right before crossing. Although it was high and slightly behind Waldren, he managed to bring it down before spinning to fire low beyond Hill.

There was only one team in it for the remainder of the match and Coombes was foiled by Hill after being set up by Christian Nanetti and Crawford who combined for the third.

Nanetti’s through ball sent Crawford away and he finished gleefully.

Finally, Coombes scored the goal he wanted with another of his tremendous free kicks.

Jamie Slabber, returning from injury, missed two late chances but not at any great.

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Brown, Hatton, Hayles, Francis (Fuseini 67), Nanetti, Waldren, Crawford, Coombes (Slabber 85), Joseph-Dubois (Walker 72).

Subs not used: Johnson, Williams.

Oxford: Hill, Ngathe, Grant, Davies, Henderson, Niate, Ashby (Louis 64), Fleet (McAuley 76), Fondop, Ngamvoulou (Peake-Pijen 76), Winters.

Subs not used: Poku.

Welling United:

Goalscorers : Joseph-Dubois, Waldren, Crawford, Coombes

Yellow cards: None

Oxford City

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Grant, Davies, Ngamvoulou, Fondop, Ngathe

Referee: Paul Howard

Assistants: Steven Scott and Zack Ellis

Attendance: 541

Man of the match: Danny Waldren

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.