Four new Welling debutants help make the difference in win at Weston-super-Mare
BY MARK DOIG
New look Welling United claimed victory with an emphatic victory on the road at Weston-super-Mare.
No fewer than four Wings made their debuts for their new club having signed during the week. Eastbourne Borough loanee, Daniel Quick, came in as part of a back three with Dave Winfield and Riccardo Di Trolio, and his fellow Sports’ on loan team-mate, Jayden Davis took the right wing-back slot.
Finn Ballard-McBride joined, having been released by Eastbourne, and took up a place in midfield and former Bromley striker James Alabi was added to the squad to give the team more presence up front.
Things did not go to plan for the Wings when they went behind in just the second minute. Alabi’s one time Bromley team mate, Luke Coulson, slung in a far post cross for the Seagulls and Dylan Kadji slotted it home from close range.
Sam Pearson then had a shot saved by Welling goalkeeper Dylan Berry before Welling started to ask questions of the Weston defence. Davis headed over from a Gene Kennedy cross and Theo Alexandrou was just too high with a shot.
Two players, who have been at Welling since the start of the season, combined to draw Welling level. Daniel Martin sent over a deep cross and Dave Winfield powered his header home for his first goal of the season.
Just shy of the half hour mark, Welling went ahead. This time, Alexandrou crossed and Ballard-McBride rose unmarked to guide his header inside the post.
Pearson shot over from eighteen yards for Weston before Alexandrou came close for the Wings with a shot that goalkeeper Max Harris deflected wide.
After the half time break, Welling had to dig deep as Coulson created further problems with dangerous crosses. Pedro Borges had a header that Berry did well to push round the post then Ollie Chamberlain shot wide from close range.
Three Weston players were cautioned in six minutes as their frustration began to show before Berry made a great reaction save when Pearson’s cross was deflected towards his own net by Di Trolio.
Having survived that scare, the Wings went up to the other end and scored again. The two Eastbourne loanees combined when Quick crossed and Davis headed home.
Although the hosts won a succession of corners, Welling defended them well and wrapped up the points with five minutes remaining, Davis burst down the wing and got to the bye-line before pulling it back. Josh Redfearn showed the desire to keep it alive and prod it to fellow substitute Zain Walker and he slotted it calmly into the bottom corner.
Rod Stringer, the Welling manager, will now need to monitor any reaction that the players may experience from a tough ninety minutes on a heavy pitch before selecting his side to play at home to in-form Hemel Hempstead Town on Tuesday evening.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN