Welling United 2 Billericay Town 0 – Wings make light of defensive issues to pick up National League South win

BY MARK DOIG

Although only having one out and out defender at his disposal, Welling United manager Brad Quinton utilised the players that he had available to produce an almost faultless performance against Billericay Town.

It was as one sided a game as has been experienced all season and the visitors were thankful to goalkeeper Alan Julian for keeping the score-line respectable.

Midfield players Connor Dymond and Cameron James played either side of centre half Rob Swaine with Anthony Cook and Gavin McCallum playing as wing-backs. Montel Agyemang was disciplined in midfield allowing the outstanding Diaz Wright to link up with strikers Dipo Akinyemi and Adam Coombes supported by Philip Roberts.

Julian was in action almost immediately when saving from Roberts. He followed that up by beating out a fierce then Wright drive before Akinyemi had a shot was deflected over after being set up by Coombes.

Roberts was again thwarted by Julian then Cook twice came close, first when bringing another save out of Julian and then when his low cross was deflected on to the outside of the post and out.

Coombes almost caught Julian out with a low drive but the goalkeeper scrambled it around the post before Akinyemi sent Roberts away but his was attempt to lift it over the Billericay goalkeeper didn’t end with his first Welling goal.

Swaine returned a Cook cross back into the danger area and Akinyemi did manage to beat Julian but was frustrated to see it come back off the framework of the goal and despite their dominance Welling went in at the break still level.

At the start of the second half, Welling continued where they had left off and a good move allowed Akinyemi to break away but his low shot was blocked out by Julian’s foot.

Just short of the hour mark, the Wings opened the scoring. Cook was the provider and Coombes clever movement allowed him to lose his marker giving him time to rise and guide his header back across goal and into the top corner.

Gavin McCallum shot wide for Welling before Joe Quigley had a header saved comfortably by Dan Wilks before substitute Jake Robinson had a great chance to score an undeserved equaliser. He got in behind the Welling defence, the only time Billericay achieved that all afternoon, but Wilks rushed out and the Blues’ striker fired wide.

That was Billericay’s only clear cut chance and it was soon business as usual for the Wings with Chiori Johnson creating space for himself to shoot and draw another brilliant save from Julian.

Five minutes remained when Welling beat Julian for a second time. Substitute Bradley Goldberg burst into the penalty area and was brought down by former Dulwich Hamlet and Welling centre half Michael Chambers. Although Julian went the right way, Cook’s penalty was too powerful and nestled into the bottom corner.

Swaine might have made it three when hooking the ball towards the bottom corner as he fell but Julian made another fantastic save and his defenders bundled the loose ball away.

There was still time for him to make one more save as substitute Korrey Henry tried to curl it round him but his shot was a little too straight.

The victory took Welling seven points clear of the relegation zone whilst the await league updates to know whether they will travel to Bath City next Saturday.

Welling United: Wilks, Dymond, McCallum (Goldberg 79), James, Swaine, Wright, Roberts (Johnson 75), Agyemang, Akinyemi, Coombes (Henry 86), Cook. Subs not used: Krabbendam, Rolt.

PICTURES BY DAVE BUDDEN