Financial constraints meant that Welling United manager Mark Goldberg had no option other than to release three players prior to their visit to Hungerford Town.

Lyle Della-Verde, Dean Morgan and Mitchell Nelson were let go meaning that Welling struggled to find eleven players ready to start. Josh Jackson was drafted in from Chatham Town for whom he has been playing on dual registration.

Harvey Brand, who is also on dual registration at Chatham, was bought back too and was the only fit outfield player on the substitutes bench. Mason Walsh made his full Wings debut and Archie Johnson was given his first league start since mid August.

Not surprisingly, Welling spent most of the match on the back foot and were indebted to some fine work by Dean Leacock, playing with a broken toe, and Danny Waldren moved back into an emergency centre back position. Their sterling effort gave Welling hope of getting something out of the game until the latter stages.

Ian Herring headed over in the early stages before Adam Coombes tested George Legg in the Hungerford goal with a well struck low free kick.

Nicholas Bignall had a shot saved by Chris Lewington and Waldren blocked a Herring shot after he had been left unmarked at a corner.

Nat Jarvis shot wide before his next effort was saved following a strong run by Luke Williams.

James Clark headed over before Lewington collapsed with an injury that caused a lengthy break.

Eventually, he was able to continue, albeit in some discomfort.

Rhys Tyler, Bignall and Scott Rees all failed to hit the target before the break.

During the interval, Lewington had his leg strapped up but was still unable to kick the ball with either Waldren taking his dead ball kicks, or throwing out when the ball was in play.

Early in the second period, Matt Day headed over when allowed a free header but Hungerford huffed and puffed without creating many clear cut chances after that.

Brand came on for his Welling league debut on the hour replacing Walsh as the Wings continued to defend resolutely.

Rees saw a shot deflected past the post and Herring fired well and it started to look as though Welling might win an unlikely point.

However, Herring had other ideas and when a ball was only half cleared, he unleashed a fierce volley into the top corner from 30 yards.

As the game came to a close, Welling almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser. Johnson sent in a low drive through a crowd of players that Rees was grateful to grab as the slightest touch would have deflected it past him.

Goldberg and Head Coach Jamie Day now have almost a week to look at what changes they may need to make to be competitive at Hampton and Richmond Borough on Saturday.

 

Hungerford Town: Legg, Rees, Tyler, Jones, Day, Williams, Clark, Herring, Jarvis, Bignall (Preen 60), O’Brien (Soares 88).

Subs not used: Goodger, Gee, Rusby.

 

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Braham-Barrett, Hatton, Waldren, Leacock, Walsh (Brand 60), Fuseini, Jackson, Coombes, Johnson.

Subs not used: Agu, Smith, Francis, Nanetti.

 

 

Referee: Ian Rathbone

Assistants: Robert Cockle and Michael Halford

 

Attendance: 258

 

Welling star player: Dean Leacock