Welling United 2 Worthing 4 – Wings wilt in the heat as National League South opener ends in defeat

BY MARK DOIG

Much-changed Welling United found the momentum of settled side Worthing too hot on a scorching afternoon.

Not one of the Wings’ starting 11 were at Park View Road three months earlier and it was clear that they are not yet gelling.

It was the opposite for visitors Worthing. They are still on a high from winning the Isthmian League Premier Division and automatic promotion. They have kept the core of their team while recruiting in areas in which they felt that they needed to strengthen. They started strongly and went ahead with less than five minutes on the clock when Joel Colbran swept in from close range.

However, their lead only lasted a minute. Tyrique Hyde collected Medy Elito’s clever pass and finished emphatically.

Kane Wills had a long-range shot held before the impressive Lewis White restored the Mackerel Men’s lead when controlling a long pass and slotting it home.

After six further minutes, Worthing scored again when Joe Rye rose to meet a deep free-kick and headed home.

Former Charlton Athletic academy player Ade Azeez pulled one back to complete a breath-taking first 30 minutes of the first National League South game of the season at Park View Road. He brought down an awkward pass, made space, and fired home an unstoppable shot.

He almost levelled soon after when a ferocious drive was tipped on to the bar by Harrison Male, but it was Worthing who finished the half the strongest. Nordibek Bobomurodov had a drive saved by Myles Roberts before the Rebels’ wide man fired over.

Welling manager Warren Feeney told his team at half time that the next goal would be vital, and it almost fell to Worthing, but Kealy was unable to finish from Ollie Pearce’s cross.

Just before the hour mark he was offered another opportunity and this time he made no mistake. White took advantage of Welling’s failure to clear and found Kealy who made no mistake from close range.

Pearce headed into Danson Park from a tight angle before Welling substitute Ashley Nzala came close to reducing the arrears. Stefan Payne played him in, and his shot came back out off the foot of Male. Nzala collected the rebound, but he was off balance and shot over.

Soon after he had another opportunity when Welling broke quickly after clearing a Worthing corner, but he couldn’t keep his shot down and the chance went.

Kealy then had a chance to complete his hat-trick when sent clear, but Roberts was out quickly to smother his shot.

For the second time in the match, Welling clattered the crossbar, but Payne’s shot came back out and their last chance was gone.

They have a quick chance to bounce back when they entertain Cheshunt on Tuesday evening.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN