Welling United remain bottom of National League South after loss to promotion-chasing Ebbsfleet United

BY MARK DOIG

Welling United remain rooted to the bottom of the National League South table following their 4-2 home defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Ebbsfleet United. 

It was a disappointing result for the Wings, who took an early lead and clung on to it until the game was turned around in a six-minute spell in the final third of the first half. After that, they were chasing the game, and Ebbsfleet were able to dictate the game.

Both goalkeepers had early touches with straightforward saves before Welling took a seventh-minute lead. Harvey Bradbury sent in a cross, and Tom Derry demonstrated the determination and desire that manager Wayne Feeney demanded by getting in front of Alex Finney and heading home.

Neither side created too much as Welling were content to keep it tight, allowing Ebbsfleet no width, whilst looking to catch them on the break.

However, that all went wrong for the Wings when they conceded a needless free-kick. That allowed Ben Chapman to cross for Rakish Bingham. Coniah Boyce-Clarke made a brilliant save pushing it on to the post, but Finney was first to the rebound to tuck it home from close range.

Another Welling error six minutes later also proved costly. Craig Tanner had his back to goal in the penalty area, but Ade Shokunbi had a nibble, Tanner went down, and a penalty was the award. Bingham sent Boyce-Clarke the wrong way to put the Fleet ahead.

Less than five-second minutes had passed when Ebbsfleet made it three. Shaq Couthirst’s shot took a deflection off Jamie Sendles-White’s foot to send Boyce-Clarke the wrong way, and it dribbled over the goal-line.

Louie Moulden made an easy save from a Dipo Akinyemi free-kick, then Bradbury headed Brad Stevenson’s delivery over.

Bingham was thwarted by an excellent one-handed save by Boyce-Clarke before the hungry Fleet striker exchanged passes with Jack Paxman to get him in behind, but he could only shoot across the face of goal.

Substitute Dominic Poleon added a well taken fourth with twelve minutes remaining when Tanner pulled it back for him.

Sendles-White came close to pulling one back when meeting a deep free-kick from Alfie Matthews, but he was unable to hit the target with his header. However, they did claim a consolation goal two minutes into injury time when Shokunbi’s crisp volley gave Moulden no chance.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN