Welling United sign off National League South season with 3-0 win at Havant & Waterlooville

BY MARK DOIG

Victory at Havant & Waterlooville brought Welling United’s 2022-23 season to an end in fine style.

They visited in the knowledge that mathematically the Hawks could still qualify for the National League South play-offs so, for the integrity of the league, Welling manager Warren Feeney put out a full-strength team.

Havant’s outside chance of promotion had come from a Thursday night victory to end a 14-game run without a win. However, they never looked like completing their season with back-to-back wins as Welling dominated the game.

Kodi Lyons-Foster put the Wings ahead in the second minute and Havant struggled to contain their rampant visitors after that. Lyons-Foster combined well with Ade Azeez before firing home with a finish which any striker would have been delighted with.

James Dunne almost topped off an excellent second half of the season with his first Welling goal but was just off target when well placed. Azeez then got in behind for a one-on-one but goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe got down well to save.

Azeez scored the second when Sharman-Lowe got across to make a great save from his header before being let down by his defence. Sam Magri passed it straight back to Azeez and the Wings striker made no mistake with a low finish.

Sharman-Lowe made a wonder save from an Azeez header after Manny Parry had headed across goal before a Christie Pattisson long shot fizzed just wide with the young Havant goalkeeper being an on-looker.

For a few moments, the hosts looked as though they may pose a threat and Callum Kealy headed wide before Kai McKenzie-Lyle twice saved from Jake McCarthy but Welling were soon on the attack again and Sharman-Lowe made another excellent stop to keep out Azeez.

After the half-time break, Havant showed a little more intent. Kealy was again off target before Muhammadu Faal’s header home was disallowed for offside. However as they pushed forward they left themselves open on the break and Welling finished the game as a contest just before the hour mark when Christie Pattisson raced away and fired an unstoppable shot beyond the helpless Havant goalkeeper.

McCarthy shot wide for Havant before Pattisson’s pace and power created an opportunity for Taylor Maloney but Sharman-Lowe got down to save.

Charlie Ruff had a late chance for Havant but McKenzie-Lyle did well to block for his fourth clean sheet in the last six league games.

PICTURES: MICHAEL BROWN