Welling United suffer heavy opening day defeat at Truro

BY MARK DOIG

New look Welling United visited Truro City to open their 2023-24 National League South campaign but did not return with anything to show for it.

Having taken over the managerial hot seat just two months earlier, Danny Bloor has had to build an almost entirely new squad from which to pick the team to start against the newly promoted Cornish side. He was aware of the challenge that awaited him, but probably wasn’t expecting 45 minutes as bad as the first half.

They went behind in just the sixth minute when Rocky Neal was sent clear by Adam Porter. Welling’s Brentford loanee goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom came out, but Neal lifted it over him in style.

Tyler Harvey had a shot pushed over by Winterbottom and the Welling stopper was again in action shortly after, saving a long shot from Ryan Law.

However, he was left exposed again when a deep free-kick found Ed Palmer virtually unmarked at the far post and he side-foot volleyed home.

Two minutes later, Truro added a third. Adam Porter was allowed space to shoot from the edge of the area and his effort had too much power for Winterbottom to keep out.

Bloor reacted by making a substitution with Jephite Tanga replacing Alex MacAllister and, soon after, Welling reduced the arrears. Cameron Green burst forward and exchanged passes with Will Wood before placing his shot inside the far post.

Any hopes that Welling may have harboured of getting back into the game were foiled by further generous defending. Porter was again allowed to get a shot away from Connor Riley-Lowe’s square pass and he made no mistake with a confident finish.

Will Dean blasted over but in the final minute of stoppage time, Truro added a fifth. Harvey played a one-two with Neal to send him clear and he slotted his shot into the bottom corner.

After the interval, Welling enjoyed a bit more possession and territorial advantage and Wood had a shot deflected wide before Kareem Isiaka was unable to guide his header on target from TJ Bramble’s cross.

Harvey drew a fine save out of Winterbottom but Welling continued to probe with both James Vaughan and Isiaka shooting over.

Finally, they did pull one back when Antony Papadopoulos netted from the spot after Bramble had been tripped.

That proved to be too little too late and Bloor and his management team have plenty over which to muse before they host Hemel Hempstead Town next Saturday.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN