Welling take another step towards safety after 3-1 win over Weston-super-Mare

BY MARK DOIG

Stoppage time goals by Antony Papadopoulos and David Amoo increased Welling United’s chances of escaping relegation in their win over Weston-super-Mare.

That extended Welling’s run to one defeat in 11 National League South games although the game against Weston was far from straight-forward.

The visitors will feel that their attractive on the eye football, and second half possession, meant that they deserved something out of the game. However, it was similar to some of the Wings performances early in the season when they had matches with the better of the territorial advantage but lost.

Reece Grant had an early shot saved for the hosts before Weston had a great opportunity when Jason Pope created a chance for Dayle Grubb that was brilliantly saved by Reice Charles-Cook.

Chiori Johnson’s shot was deflected causing it to loop over the Seagulls goalkeeper Max Harris and the crossbar. Then both goalkeepers were again in action, Harris saving from Jason Adigun, and Harris from James Dodd.

Shortly after the half hour mark, Welling went ahead. Adigun, whose loan from Charlton Athletic has been extended until the end of the season collected Anthony Grant’s pass before sending Sonny Fish away down the inside right channel, and he went past his marker before firing home.

As half-time approached, Reece Grant came close to doubling Welling’s lead but Harris made an outstanding save to keep out his fierce drive.

Early in the second period Jordan Bastin made a last-ditch goalmouth clearance after Cameron Green’s low free-kick into the Weston six-yard box caused havoc before Dodd’s first-time effort from Grubb’s corner flew wide of the near post.

Robbie Wilmott shot over and Dodd failed to keep a header down as Weston pressed hard but struggled to penetrate the determined Welling defence.

However, they did buckle with 14 minutes remaining. Weston’s best two players combined again when Grubb pulled it back to Dodd and he fired home into the top corner.

Antony Papadopoulos was introduced as a substitute to give the Wings a different attacking threat and they came close to levelling when his free-kick found Lachlan Byrd, whose strong header flew just over.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Papadopoulos put Welling back ahead. He started the move in midfield with a pass out wide to Reece Grant. He laid it back to Green whose first-time clip gave it back to Papadopoulos, who had run into an advanced position. He then burst into the penalty area and shot low and hard just inside the near post, and it squirmed under Harris and into the net.

Another Welling substitute, David Amoo, finished the game three minutes later with a rocket shot for a debut goal after Adigun’s brilliance gave him a clear sight of goal.

Away games at Hampton and Richmond Borough on Tuesday, and Chippenham Town on Saturday, will give Rod Stringer’s team further tough challenges before their Easter matches when many promotion and relegation issues tend to be settled.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN