On Monday night Welling United played an exhibition match against Soccer Universities, an organisation with whom the Wings have links.

Soccer Universities has partnered with several American colleges and education institutions whereby they are able to offer the same level of education and courses as many of the top Universities and Colleges provide while at the same offering more courses in education than specific schools.

A degree will run simultaneously alongside a player development program, allowing the student to turn professional at any time should that opportunity present itself.

While the ‘Academy Path to Pro Program’ is mainly based in Florida, it includes four weeks training with and alongside Welling United before moving onto St. Andrews, Dundee.

Warren Feeney used the match to give players who hadn’t started many recent games a run out along with trialists that he wanted to observe in a full scale match.

In the fourth minute the Wings went ahead when Kyrell Lisbie rose to head home a trialist’s cross.

Less than a minute later, Lisbie scored again when Cameron Andrews slipped him in and he slotted beyond the stranded goalkeeper.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle was called upon to make a couple of saves before Welling added a third. The trialist crossed deep and Cedric Avelin-Nganga arrived late to force it home at the far post.

Andrews then took centre stage, first going on a long mazy run before being thwarted by a brave block, then clipping the crossbar with a free kick.

Finally, he scored his goal, albeit with a wicked deflection that left the goalkeeper stranded.

More trialists were introduced at the interval and after Taylor Curran hooked over from close range Sadik Bala headed home only to be denied by an offside flag.

Ten minutes into the second half, Welling added a fifth. A trip in the penalty area gave referee James Smith no option but to point to the spot. Lisbie stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete his hat-trick.

Charlie Burton-Eaton shot just wide before Welling added a sixth. Bala drove in a low cross and Taner Dogan turned tightly before firing home.

Bala’s power and pace was too much for the Universities’ defence when he burst through and smashed it home via the underside of the bar fifteen minutes from time.

He completed his brace and the scoring for the night when he finished from close range after being set up by Burton-Eaton with virtually the last kick of the match.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Ezennolim, Kassarate, Parry, Curran, Trialist, Lisbie, Vendrells, Andrews, Avelin-Nganga.

Subs: Ojo, Burton-Eaton, Abdullahi, Bala, Adewunmi, Dogan.

Goalscorers: Lisbie (4), (5), (55 pen), Avelin-Nganga (25), Andrews (38), Burton-Eaton (66), Bala (75), (90).

Referee: James Smith

Assistants: Matt Mein and Gavin Sutton

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.