Four first half Leatherhead goals ensured that Welling United would return round the M25 empty handed from their first Isthmian League Premier Division away game of the season.

Lack of potency up front and uncharacteristic defending in the first period cost them dearly as the hosts took full advantage.

They might have gone ahead in just the second minute when Anas Igozouln set up Mark Waters and his clean strike was well held by Welling goalkeeper. The Wings then had a good spell without creating a clear cut chance and it was slightly against the run of play when the hosts went ahead. Igozouln took full advantage of a defensive slip and made space for himself before firing into the top corner at the near post.

Ryan Kingsford had a shot slowed down by a deflection allowing an easy save for Sonny Wheeler before Leatherhead scored again. Former Wing Marcel Barrington hurled in a long throw, Cameron Black headed it on at the near post and it fell for Igozouln with time and space to knock it home inside the far upright.

Sam Smith had a long range free kick deflected over before Leatherhead scored twice more in the last five minutes of the first half. James Dickson sent in a cross from the right that dipped over Foley and into the net then Waters nicked possession and strode through a non-existent midfield before firing home from the edge of the penalty area.

Ryan Maxwell, Welling’s manager, responded by making a triple change at the break, and they were still settling when the hosts had the first chance of the second period. Barrington was allowed a free header when he met a cross from Kofi Anokye-Boadi only to plant it straight into the arms of Foley.

Harry Murphy then crossed for Black to shoot from ten yards out but Foley got down well to make an excellent save on the goal-line. Shortly after it was Welling’s turn to go close. Kaan Bennett sent fellow substitute Nahum Melvin-Lambert away. He used his strength to hold off his man before his low shot came back out off the base of the far upright.

As the match moved into the last fifteen minutes a scramble on the edge of the Leatherhead penalty area ended with it falling into the path of Ryan Blackman and his side foot effort went narrowly wide of the bottom corner. Chris Arthur then fired a long range drive just beyond the far post.

Melvin-Lambert’s developing understanding with Bennett created a chance for the latter and he was denied by a brave diving block by Black then Wheeler was required to make a double save. First, Fumnaya Shomotun’s skills gave Jamie Reynolds a sight of goal and his shot was kept out by Wheeler then it came to Bennett and the Tanners’ custodian was again equal to it with a fine stop.

One minute remained when Welling scored a consolation. John Ufuah was given space to shoot against his former club and it took a slight deflection before going in off the post. 

Maxwell may choose to ring the changes for his team’s match on Saturday at home to Stanway Rovers.

Leatherhead: Wheeler; Paget (Price 70), Black, Butler. Kennett; Anokye-Boadi (Hogan 62), Waters, Dickson; Igozouln (Jackson 75), Murphy, Barrington (Breckon 68).

Sub not used: Mather.

Goalscorers: Igozouin (16), (20), Dickson (40), Waters (45)

Yellow card: Kennett (65 foul)

Welling United: Foley; Otseh-Taiwo, Gunner, Bertram-Cooper, Arthur; Miller-Rodney (Blackman (46); Anyadike (Reynolds 63), Smith (Shomotun 68), Ufuah; Kingsford (Bennett 46); Azeez (Melvin-Lambert 46).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: Ufuah (89)

Yellow card: Miller-Rodney (22 foul), Bertram-Cooper (55 foul)

Referee: Derrick Laing

Assistants: Eros Frangiamore and David London

Attendance: 709