Anthony Acheampong’s late winner gave Welling victory at Gloucester City to enable them to maintain third position in the Vanarama National League South.

On a pitch that was not conducive to good football most of the passing that was played was done so by the visitors.

Fabien Robert had the first shot of the game but it flew well over. He was again off target soon after when found by a clever free kick.

Joe Parker’s deep free kick went all the way through but Dan Wilks was alert and claimed it calmly.  After that Welling took control.

Gavin McCallum delivered a free kick and Acheampong met it with a good header that Will Henry tipped over.

Richard Orlu, back from injury earlier than expected, headed over from McCallum’s corner. Then Sanchez Ming looked to punish some poor defending and found Arnaud Mendy. He picked out Brendan Kiernan but Welling’s leading scorer was well off target.

Henry was again called into action when making a brilliant save from a Danny Mills header before Orlu headed another corner over.

Orlu then showed his defensive qualities when getting back well to block out Dejon Noel-Williams shot.

At the interval Welling were forced into making a change with Mendy having to be replaced by Julien Anau.

Soon after the break Noel-Williams went on a long solo run but fired over but Welling were soon on the ascendancy. Bradley Goldberg had a shot blocked before he made way for Mo Bettamer to make his Welling debut.

Once more Orlu had to defend well heading over his own bar before Welling went ahead. Yet another excellent McCallum delivery invited Acheampong to attack it and although Henry got his hands on the powerful header, he could only push it into the roof of the net.

Kiernan might have made it safe soon after but Henry made a superb low save.

However, it was Gloucester who had the last chance of the match when Spencer Hamilton fired a shot at the near post but Wilks stood firm and knocked it out.

Victory kept Welling in third place in the league with five games remaining.

Gloucester City: Henry, Hodges, Mawford, Hamilton, Avery, Hanks, Parker (Smerdon 50), Knowles, Jackson, Noel-Williams, Robert.

Subs not used: Kotwica, Peck, King.

Welling United: Wilks, Ming, Genovesi, Ijaha, Acheampong, Orlu, Kiernan (Braham-Barrett 88), Mendy (Anau 46), Mills, Goldberg (Bettamer 64), McCallum.

Subs not used: Rooney, Newton.

 

 

 

Gloucester City:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Avery

Red cards: None

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Acheampong (84)

Yellow cards: Anau, Wilks

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Mark Howes

Assistants: Roger Smith and Declan O’Shea

 

Attendance: 283

 

Welling star player: Gavin McCallum

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.