League leaders AFC Greenwich Borough were pushed hard by Welling Town before claiming the win in their Southern Counties East Football League First Division encounter.

For the first thirty minutes, they were decidedly second best as the Boots played the better football but the home team were held at bay by a determined defence and once the league newcomers had gone ahead, there was only going to be one result.

After winning three corners that were well defended, Welling had a half chance when David Chandler brought it down well but couldn’t get sufficient power in his shot and it caused Greenwich no problems. Another corner came to nothing before a smart Welling move created an opening for Jedd Smith and his low shot towards the bottom corner drew a good save out of Javarn Pitterson.

In the thirty-third minute, against the run of play, the visitors went ahead when Ramon Elliott looped a header over the helpless Matt Funnell.

It should have been two-nil shortly after when Oghosa Williams sent Stefan Payne clear down the right. He played it square to Bradley Ryan who was clean through and he controlled it but it appeared to take a slight bobble and he fired high over the bar.

Ryan then hit a free kick over before he arrived late to meet a deep Williams cross but he was unable to turn it home.

Early in the second period Payne had a shot pushed over by Funnell before the experienced attacker sent his strike partner, Reece Deakin through. His initial shot was beaten out by the Boots’ goalkeeper and his follow up shot was also saved by Funnell.

Midway through the second half, Greenwich doubled their lead. Funnell tried to clear from outside the penalty area but it bounced awkwardly and he could only slice it away. It was knocked back in and fell kindly for Williams who rolled it calmly into the empty net.

Substitute Keval Sesay-Ince shot well wide for Welling from thirty yards before the visitors put the icing on their cake with two minutes remaining. Williams’ delightful through ball found Payne and his fierce angled shot gave Funnell no chance.

Welling Town: Funnell; Hearn, Huckle, Rogers, Peters; Roberts (Mark 81), Aikon, Beech (Curran 74); Smith (Sesay-Ince 74), Chandler; Onye.

Subs not used: Heywood, Hawkins.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Huckle (36 foul)

AFC Greenwich Borough: Pitterson; Elliott (Cravid 83), Hollick, Carey; Evans; Williams, Ryan, McNamee (Stacey 75), Sesay; Payne (Godziemski 90+2), Deakin (Obilana 64).

Sub not used: Nokoe.

Goalscorers: Elliott (33), Williams (70), Payne (88)

Yellow card: McNamee (67 foul)

Referee: Grant Steele

Assistants: Branislav Cujic and Thomas Marshall

Attendance: 58