Non-league round-up: Wilks the hero for Welling as they win at Dulwich, Bromley drop out of National League play-off zone
BY MARK DOIG
Dan Wilks made a series of fine saves for Welling United as they claimed a 1-0 victory at Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.
Storm Dennis made conditions difficult for goalkeepers but Wilks’ handling was exemplary and his faultless display made it hard for Dulwich.
That shouldn’t detract from the fact that Gavin Rose’s team played far too much long ball and they didn’t do enough to beat an industrious and talented Welling team.
The Wings went ahead on eight minutes. Anthony Cook picked out Romoney Crichlow-Noble and although his first effort was blocked it came back to him and he slotted it back across goal and inside the far post.
Wilks saved a long-range effort from Ben Chapman before two former Dulwich playerss combined to create an opportunity with Cook firing over from a clever Dipo Akinyemi pass.
Cook had a better chance soon after but again couldn’t keep his shot down when Bradley Goldberg went past Christian Smith and pulled it back.
As the first half came to a close Wilks made two outstanding stops. First Quade Taylor’s downward header looked certain to level but Wilks got down with a strong hand to turn it away, then he made another excellent close-range save from Nyren Clunis.
Six minutes after the break, Crichlow-Noble’s participation in the game was ended – he was taken to hospital by ambulance with a suspected broken cheekbone.
Although there was no natural centre-half on the bench, former Crystal Palace midfielder Connor Dymond came on and did all that was asked of him.
Nathan Green, another Dulwich player from last season, had a low free-kick saved before Goldberg drew a comfortable save out of Charlie Grainger with a shot from outside the penalty area.
Clunis met a Jeffrey Monakana cross with a first time shot that Wilks held from close range before Mills lashed wide from the edge of the box.
Welling then had the chance to make the rest of the afternoon more comfortable. Diaz Wright and Cameron James combined superbly and the former was sent clear, but he fired over as Grainger rushed out.
Jack Connors tested Wilks deep into injury time but he was alert to tip over the long punt before he made a comfortable claim from Mills’ header to preserve his clean sheet.
Welling leap-frogged Dulwich in the National League South table.
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Bromley dropped out of the National League play-off places after a 1-0 defeat at Stockport County, writes Richard Cawley.
Liam Hogan scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute.
Tooting & Mitcham are eighth in the Isthmian League South Central Division after a 2-1 reverse at
Ware, who went top. Daryl Coleman had put them ahead at Wodson Park.
Malaki Coker scored for Fisher in their 1-1 draw at home to Crowborough Athletic in the SCEFL Premier Division.
Umara Alpha notched for AFC Croydon as they drew 1-1 at Canterbury City.
Kai Bichard and Ijah Currie-Wilson were on target in Lewisham Borough’s 2-1 success at SC Thamesmead in the SCEFL First Division.
Forest Hill Park beat Lydd Town 2-1 with Ric Campbell and Joji Phillips on the scoresheet.
PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD