Padraig Amond’s second half hat-trick for Grimsby Town plunged Welling United deeper into the relegation zone.
Despite their spirited first half performance, Welling were overwhelmed by the Mariners in the second period and suffered their heaviest defeat of the season.
Amond’s hat-trick took him to 20 league goals for the season, just two behind the entire Welling team.
Omar Bogle for Grimsby and Reece Harris for Welling had early chances before a midfield mix up allowed Bogle to burst free but Mike McEntegart made a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
Half chances came and went at each end before McEntegart made another great save at a one on one, this time from Amond.
McEntegart from Andy Monkhouse and Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown from Barney Williams made comfortable saves before the break.
Sahr Kabba was stopped by a last ditch tackle as Welling looked for an early second half opening. Then Nathan Arnold failed to get a clean header on a deep cross, allowing McEntegart to mop up.
On 65 minutes, Grimsby went ahead. Craig Disley’s deep cross was met by a header by Amond that looped over McEntegart and into the net.
He added a second in the 71st minute when slotting home as Welling twice failed to clear.
Kabba then hit the crossbar after McKeown dropped Barney Williams’ cross before Amond completed a thirteen minute hat-trick.
Monkhouse was the provider this time with a cross that was finished by another looping Amond header.
Disley made it four with a simple finish with eight minutes to go and although Nortei Nortey came close in the closing minutes, there was no doubt that Welling were well beaten.
After the match, Loui Fazakerley admitted that they fell apart in the second half. “Yeah, we did after that first goal went in. We came in at half time and it was a great platform. They had a couple of chances and Mikey pulled off great saves. We gave ourselves a very very good chance. After that first goal went in, it wasn’t good enough.”
“It’s a sign of a lack of confidence for sure. We’re finding it hard to score goals so if you can keep things solid and keep a clean sheet, you always give yourselves a chance to go and nick one.”
“When that first ond goes in, heads drop so it’s a matter of getting that belief back.”
“We obviously do need to turn things round. We do need that first result, that first win. We’ve got faith in the boys. The ability we’ve got in that changing room is undoubted but it’s a matter of confidence and belief at the moment.”
Welling United: McEntegart, Williams, Nortey, Corne, Osborne, Chambers, Wellard, Vidal, Kabba (Bakare 75), Porter, Harris.
Unused substitutes: Gagliardi, Taylor, St. Aimie, Johnson.
Grimsby Town: McKeown, Tait, Robertson, Clay (Henderson 85, Nsiala, Gowling, Arnold (East 74), Disley, Bogle, Amond (Pittman 81), Monkhouse.
Unused substitutes: Pearson, Marshall.
Referee: Wayne Barratt
Assistants: Daniel Cook and James Whittaker
4th Official: George Warren
Welling star man: Nortei Nortey
Attendance: 1,337
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden