It took a lone goal from Nahum Melvin-Lambert to decide the Isthmian League Premier Division encounter in Welling United’s favour against AFC Whyteleafe at the Wings’ Anthony Martin Community Stadium.

However, that didn’t really tell the full story as it was only former Wings’ goalkeeper Slav Huk, who kept the visitors in the match.

After a cagey start, Demaray Anyadike created an opportunity when getting to the bye-line and pulling it back to Kaan Bennett. Although his attempted shot was off target, it was almost turned in by Melvin-Lambert.

Huk made the first of his string of great saves after Bennett had hit the post but Whyteleafe’s escape was short-lived when the Wings went ahead. Jamie Reynolds delivered the corner, it bobbled around. and despite Huk’s best efforts Melvin-Lambert’s stretched poke forced it over the line.

Another good move involving Melvin-Lambert and Anyadike ended when Tyrell Miller-Rodney struck a clean shot that whistled wide. Anyadike then created another excellent opportunity when picking out Melvin-Lambert and his header was kept out brilliantly by Huk. Fumnaya Shomotun recycled it before shooting wide of the near post.

Shortly before half time, the visitors had their first effort when Palace Francis cut in from the left only to fire well over.

He had another effort early in the second period with a long range shot that Philip Ogayi turned round the post. Helge Orome slung in the corner and substitute Corey Holder couldn’t keep his header down. Both teams then had attempts that flew well over. Bennett went on a great run but was too high with his shot, then at the other end, Francis burst through but also got under his effort and skied it.

Anyadike’s clever tight turn took him away from Peter Ojemen and he found Bennett whose drive across goal went narrowly past the far post.

Chances then dried up, partly due to a string of substitutions by both teams breaking the momentum of the match. Welling’s final replacement, Sam Smith, drew a save out of Huk through his tenacity. His block tackle on Aaron Goode rebounded goalwards and the visitors’ goalkeeper got down well to save. Another Wing, who had been brought into the action late on, tried his luck from out wide and didn’t miss the far post by much.

One last chance fell the way of the hosts in stoppage time. Having been awarded a free kick, Smith was again on target. Although Huk saved it, he couldn’t hold onto it and it came out to Ade Azeez whose first time shot struck a leg of the prone goalkeeper and flew up and over.

That did not prove costly as the referee blew his whistle to end proceedings shortly after and their victory sent Welling to the top of the league.

Welling United: Ogayi; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Cooper, Arthur (Otseh-Taiwo 80); Miller-Rodney, Reynolds (Blackman 59); Anyadike (Howard 82), Bennett (Smith 83), Shomotun; Melvin-Lambert (Azeez 74). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: Melvin-Lambert (15)
Yellow card: Miller-Rodney (76 foul)

AFC Whyteleafe: Huk; McKenzie (Olorunnisomo 77), Gunner (Holder 46), Goode, Ojemen: Bennett (Mensah 87), Warren; Al-Hussaini (Hobbs 74), Orome (Janneh 67), Francis; Ranger. Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None
Yellow card: Warren (90 foul)

Referee: Toby Carlisle
Assistants: Mujtaba Alkafawi and Ryan Allison

Attendance: 952

Images courtesy of Steve Blunn