Despite falling behind in just the second minute, Welling United enjoyed a comfortable win at Weston-super-Mare in the Vanarama National League South.
Former Bromley and Dartford favourite Luke Coulson created Weston’s goal when his deep cross found Dylan Kadji at the far post and he side footed home from close range. Sam Pearson than had a shot parried and smothered by Dylan Berry.
It was then Welling’s turn to create chances and Kayden Davis, one of four Welling players making debuts, headed over from a Gene Kennedy cross before Theo Alexandrou was too high with a curled shot from the left hand side of the penalty area.
With the tide now in their favour, the Wings equalised in the eighteenth minute. Dave Winfield was still up from a corner that was half cleared and he met Daniel Martin’s cross with a powerful header home.
Anthony Grant and Dave Winfield put their bodies on the line to block shots from Pearson and James Dodd before the Wings went ahead. James Alabi, on his Welling bow, did superbly to hold it up before Dan Martin crossed and Finn Ballard-McBride marked his first appearance with a goal when he rose to head home at the far post.
Pearson might have levelled when Pedro Borges was not called offside and he squared for the Weston striker who side footed over from eighteen yards before Kennedy created an opening for Alexandrou at the other end and his shot was deflected wide by goalkeeper Max Harris.
One last first half chance fell to Coulson but his attempted curler went out of the ground.
Unsurprisingly, the hosts game out fighting after the break and two Coulson crosses caused danger, the first one finding Borges whose header was turned wide by Berry before the wide man picked out Ollie Chamberlain who was off target from close range.
Berry made a good reaction save at the near post when Pearson’s cross took a deflection off a Welling defender before the Wings extended their lead. The two loanees from Eastbourne combined when Daniel Quick delivered a delicious cross that Davis headed over Harris and inside the far post.
Chamberlain’s first time shot flew just over and Weston won a string of corners that Welling defended well with Quick immaculate at the back.
Rod Stringer’s Wings ensured that they would return home victorious when they added a fourth with five minutes remaining. Davis picked out substitute Zain Walker and he showed great composure to pick his spot and place it into the bottom corner.
Having had a tough start to his Welling career, Berry again showed his credentials when making a double save to thwart Ollie Bray and Borges before Stringer’s team were able to celebrate with their supporters.
They have little time to enjoy their success though, as they return to action on Tuesday night, hosting Hemel Hempstead Town.
Weston-super-Mare: Harris, Thomas (Jenkins 86), Bastin, Kadji, E. Lewis, Seberry, Jagger-Cane (Chamberlain 4 (Bray 71)). Borges, Pearson (Ayers 90+3), Dodd, Coulson.
Sub not used: M. Lewis.
Goalscorers: Kadji (2)
Yellow card: Thomas (47 dissent), E. Lewis (51 foul), Coulson (53 foul), Bray (74 dissent)
Welling United: Berry, Davis (Burchell 86), Martin (Kamara 90+3), Quick, Winfield, Di Trolio, Kennedy, Grant, Alabi (Redfearn 71), Alexandrou (Statham 80), Ballard-McBride (Walker 83).
Subs not used: None.
Goalscorer: Winfield (18), Ballard-McBride (28), Davis (56), Walker (85)
Yellow cards: Alabi (29 delay of restart), Kennedy (32 foul), Grant (63)
Referee: Jonathan Maskrey
Assistants: Adam McAnoy and Lewis Smith
Fourth Official: Benjamin Duffill
Attendance: 860
Images courtesy of Dave Budden