Gritty Wings move into National League play-off places after 1-0 win at Eastbourne

BY MARK DOIG

Stefan Payne scored the only goal in a gritty Welling United performance at Eastbourne Borough.

In their previous game, Warren Feeney’s Wings had brushed aside Oxford City with a superb footballing display but their venture into Sussex required them to show their steely side.

Coming into the game, the hosts had been unbeaten in three and were looking for revenge against the Wings who had claimed an unlikely point at Priory Lane in April after being three goals behind.

Conditions were miserable, with nagging rain almost throughout, but Welling dug in against a home team whose corner count went into double figures.

They had three in succession in the early exchanges, two of which were headed out by Anthony Papadopoulos, and the pressure on the Wings was only relieved when James Vaughan blasted over and into the car park.

Kai Innocent headed onto the roof of the net from a Brad Barry cross before Welling had a spell that put the Sports onto the back foot. Two former Charlton Athletic academy players combined but Ade Azeez was not able to get over Aaron Barnes’ cross to divert it towards the goal.

Taylor Maloney found Payne, but his low drive whistled past the far post before James Dunne’s low cross picked out Payne, but Alex Wynter got back to get a vital touch which diverted it around the upright.

Manny Parry headed over from a deep Maloney free kick before tempers flared on the touchline. A shocking challenge by Barry left Payne in a heap sparking a pitch invasion from both benches that took several minutes to calm down. Eventually, the referee spoke to both of his assistants, both managers and both captains before being lenient and only showing Barry a yellow card.

In first-half stoppage time, Leone Gravata drew a good low save out of Myles Roberts, who then claimed a long range shot from James Hammond.

After nearly 15 second-half minutes, Welling went ahead. Maloney delivered a corner, Papadopoulos showed his aeriel strength at the other end with a strong header, and Payne was in the right place to get the crucial touch and turn it home.

Roberts made another good save, diving to his left to keep out a shot from Vaughan before Dunne shot over at the end of a move involving Maloney, Azeez and Payne.

Innocent slung in a free-kick that beat everyone, and the far post, before Jamie Sendles-White made a crucial block to deny Miguel Scarlett. Alex Wynter prodded wide, and Innocent was also off target as the Sports continued to press for an equaliser.

Bodies were flown into the line as Welling survived an incredible goalmouth scramble before Feeney was dismissed from the touchline for delay of play for refusing to return the ball.

Shiloh Remy fired high and wide for Eastbourne before they won a free kick in a dangerous position, but Hammond was unable to keep it down.

Samuel Omperon was introduced to the fray by Eastbourne as a ‘last throw of the dice’, and he shot wide seconds after coming on. Welling responded by bringing on Taofiq Olomowewe for Papadopoulos, who had run himself into the ground, and the Wings saw out the five additional minutes with no further alarms.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic Teammates congratulate Stefan Payne’s winner