On what turned out to be Danny Bloor’s last game as Welling United manager, his team put behind their difficulties on the road by claiming three points at Hemel Hempstead Town.
Bloor’s team came into the game having only won one away league game all season and they were certainly second favourites against the Tudors who have an excellent home record, however, their win was well deserved.
Former Wing, Kaylen Hinds had an early effort for the hosts that flew well over before Joe Ellul did well to head down from a Welling corner, but nobody was able to get on the end of it. Antony Papadopoulos then struck a fierce shot that stung Craig King’s hands as he turned it over.
TJ Bramble then got on the end of a corner and headed wide just as King came out and wiped him out. Then, at the other end, Myles Judd crossed to the near post and found Michael Folivi who was unable to keep his header down.
Despite that minor alarm, Welling continued to enjoy the better of the possession and a good move ended when it was laid back to Crossley Lema who hit it first time with his instep from twenty yards and it went narrowly wide.
Early in the second half, Reice Charles-Cook was forced into making his first save of the match when keeping out Josh Williams’ shot. Although it came out to Folivi, he was offside. Vladimir Paternoster was then very fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he fouled David Kamara who had a clear run on goal.
Mbunya Alemanji was introduced for his Welling debut ten minutes into the second half, taking a position up front and allowing Antony Papadopoulos to play in a more withdrawn role. That paid dividends almost immediately. Papadopoulos took aim from twenty yards out, and although King got behind it, he couldn’t hold it. It fell to Kamara who was following up, and he made no mistake from close range.
Searching for an equaliser, Folivi headed wide from Montel McKenzie’s cross, George Williams fired a free kick well over, and Joe Re fired wide when nicely set up.
However, Welling still had their moments and Alemanji had a shot deflected wide. Although nothing came of the corner, Welling won another one and Lachlan Byrd headed over.
As the game moved into stoppage time Myles Judd’s first time effort whistled past the goal before Welling scored a second in the sixth additional minute. Alemanji outmuscled his defender before bursting through and firing past substitute goalkeeper James Taylor.
Charles-Cook’s hopes of keeping a clean sheet were thwarted when George Williams finished a goalmouth scramble.
While Welling supporters were celebrating during the evening, they were cut short when the shock news came through that Bloor had been dismissed while on his way home.
Hemel Hempstead Town: King (Taylor 67), McKenzie, J. Williams, Paternoster (Oyinsan 86), O’Connor-Ajayi, Hill, G. Williams, Re, Folivi, Hinds, Judd (Brown 70).
Sub not used: Kawimbe.
Goalscorers: G. Williams (90+8)
Yellow cards: J. Williams, O‘Connor-Ajayi, Paternoster, McKenzie
Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Green, Grant, Ellul, Byrd, Bramble (Curran 90+2), Odusanya, Papadopoulos, Kamara (Roscrow 62), Johnson (Alemanji 55).
Subs not used: Curran, Burchell, Muwonge.
Goalscorers: Kamara (57), Alemanji (90+6)
Yellow card: Kamara, D. Bloor, Papadopoulos
Referee: Callum Fisk
Assistants: Ryan Dix and Charlie Roberts
Attendance: 669