Welling United ‘s four-point haul over Easter weekend pretty much secures National League South status

BY MARK DOIG

Consecutive clean sheets over the Easter weekend were the bedrock for the four points that all but ensured that Welling United will maintain their National League South status.

Victory over Eastbourne Borough followed their draw at Dover Athletic to give the Wings a nine-point buffer between them and the bottom four.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle kept two clean sheets while on CONCACAF duty for Guyana and followed up with two more over the bank holiday weekend. He started against Eastbourne by saving well from Jamie Yila before James Dunne was unable to finish for Welling when Stefan Payne touched on Rob Howard’s crossfield pass.

Leone Gravata blasted over for Eastbourne but it was the Wings who went ahead in the 18th minute. Christie Pattisson found room to get a shot away from 25 yards and it had the power and accuracy to beat Lee Worgan’s full-length dive.

Charlton Athletic loanee Dylan Gavin’s shot was tipped over by Worgan before the Eastbourne goalkeeper saved Gavin’s header from Medy Elito’s corner. Pattisson then cut in from the left and hit another low shot but Worgan was equal to it this time, and pushed it around the post.

Jaden Perez had chances for Eastbourne either side of half time. As the break approached, Perez passed a shot wide of the far post then, after the interval, he shot from 20 yards and it came back out off the base of the post.

Stefan Payne got himself on the end of a long McKenzie-Lyle clearance but could only head directly at Worgan before his shot was deflected wide following Elito and Pattisson combining well.

McKenzie-Lyle tipped over a free-kick by Morgan Williams before he dived to save Shiloh Remy’s 20-yard shot. The Welling goalkeeper’s Guyana team-mate had the last chance of the match when collecting a poor Eastbourne clearance but he didn’t get a clean connection and it went wide.

Welling visit play-off hopefuls St Albans on Saturday hoping to extinguish any remaining relegation worries before hosting Hampton and Richmond Borough next Saturday.

PICTURES: MICHAEL BROWN