Only one division separates hosts Punjab United and Welling United, the two teams that contested a competitive Friday night pre-season friendly.

Despite playing up the slope, the home team, newly promoted to the Isthmian League South East, settled more quickly than their Isthmian League Premier Division guests after the Wings’ Ade Azzez had a goal disallowed for offside. Chris Edwards had a shot deflected onto the roof of the net then Max Wood hit a looping volley over.

Lea Dawson shot over and Punjab looked the stronger team until a hydration break was taken midway through the first half.

Following some stern words from their management, Welling upped their game, and it was they who went ahead. Lekan Majoyegbe sent Ryan Kingsford through and he finished with aplomb.

Three minutes later, he doubled his and his team’s tally. Ade Azeez put John Ufuah in behind down the left hand side of the penalty area and his low unselfish cross was swept home by Kingsford.

In first half injury time, Roman Campbell almost pulled one back when he shot on the turn but his effort flew just the wrong side of the near post.

Immediately after the restart, Welling added a third when Ufuah broke through. Although Punjab goalkeeper Owen Bushell did well to block his initial effort, the speedy Welling wide man followed up and tucked it home.

Things took a turn for the worse for Welling shortly after when Troy Howard’s heel caught in the pitch causing a pull and he went down. Although a stretcher was brought on, he was able to leave the field with the aid of someone on each arm. He was replaced by Fumnayo Shomotun.

Further substitutions disrupted the flow of the game and neither side had a real chance until the closing minutes when Welling’s trialist goalkeeper made a stunning double save from two Punjab substitutes. He wasn’t rewarded with a clean sheet, though, as the corner was cleared as far as Harry Ottaway who fired an unstoppable twenty yard shot into the top corner.

One more chance came Welling’s way in the final minute when they were awarded a free kick for a foul on Kaan Bennett twenty-two yards out. Sam Smith struck it sweetly but missed by inches.

Punjab United: O. Bushell; Edwards, Lewin-Thomas, Ratcliff, J. Campbell; Dawson, Wood; Singh, Hopkins, Ottaway; R. Campbell. Subs: Gill, Scudder, Monger, Simpson plus trialists.

Goal: Ottaway

Welling United: Trialist; Wright, Majoyegbe, Gunner, Reeve; Blackman; Howard, Reynolds, Ufuah; Kingsford; Azeez. Subs: Miller-Rodney, Shomotun, Smith, Bennett, Otsei-Taiwo, Anyadike, Arthur, Ramsey, trialist.

Goals: Kingsford (36), (39), Ufuah (46)

Images courtesy of Chris Zimmerman