Welling United collect first National League South win of the campaign

17 August 2022 Sports Reporter

BY MARK DOIG

At the third time of asking, new look Welling United claimed their first National League South victory of the season as they defeated newly-promoted Cheshunt on Tuesday night.

Wings boss Warren Feeney made one change to the starting line up from their defeat three days earlier, restoring Ashley Nzala for Medy Elito.

There was little to choose between the two teams early on and it took nearly 20 minutes for former Dulwich Hamlet goalkeeper Preston Edwards to be tested with a smart save from James Dunne.

Jamie Reynolds snatched at a shot, and it went wide before Joe Re twice shot over. At the other end, Edwards saved a low drive from Nzala before Welling went ahead. Taylor Maloney broke away before laying it back for Tyrique Hyde. He crossed deep to Nzala who found Ade Azeez. He laid it back to Hyde, who had followed in, and he fired low into the bottom corner.

Taofiq Olomowewe was unable to hit the target with a header from a Maloney corner before Welling increased their lead. Hyde sent Tom Dickens away down the left wing and his driven low cross was tucked away by Azeez.

In first half stoppage time, Cheshunt pulled one back when the brilliance of Dajon Golding allowed him to cross, and Rowan Liburd headed home from close range.

Maloney had a shot blocked over early in the second half before Cheshunt enjoyed their best spell of the match. Myles Roberts was called into making a straight-forward save from Reynolds before Reece Beckles-Richards netted but was offside.

Golding hit the near post with a well-struck effort before the visitors hopes were hampered when reduced to 10 men. Re brought down Stefan Payne as he shaped to shoot with Edwards stranded and the referee brandished his red card.

Neither side really threatened again in a frantic last 20 minutes until Welling substitute Anthony Papadopoulos fired over in the last minute of stoppage time.

Feeney will look to prepare his side to build on the three points when they visit Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.