Fears of relegation from the Isthmian League Premier Division for Welling United were all but expelled when they defeated already demoted Potters Bar Town.

After an early scare they controlled the first half and were good value for their half time lead. However, after the break, nerves seemed to get the better of them and they had to dig in to claim the win that they needed.

Luka Chalwell gave Welling a warning when played in down the left and Mackenzie Foley had to be alert to beat his powerful drive round the post. The hosts then had the best of the first period.

Zak O’Keefe hurled in a long throw that was knocked down to Troy Howard and his stabbed shot was saved by Josh Shattell. Sadly for the Welling speedster that was the end of his participation as he had to be substituted and was replaced by Oliver Reeve.

John Ufuah turned Marcel Guzynski inside out before firing just wide then Lewis Gard struggled to get the ball out from under his feet so couldn’t get enough power on his shot allowing Shattell to get down to save.

Six minutes before half time, Welling went ahead. Sam Smith sent over a deep corner and Dean Gunner met it at the far post and headed home gleefully.

Guyzynski chipped a free kick over the bar before Welling came close to going two up. Another Smith corner found Lekan Majoyegbe and his powerful header was tipped by Shattell onto the crossbar.

Smith did well to create space and shot wide before the visitors started to ask questions of the Welling defence. Marcel Kiwomya’s low shot was well saved by Mackenzie Foley and the Wings’ goalkeeper got up quickly to keep out Chalwell’s follow up.

Dylan Adjei-Hersey then struck a shot just past the far post but the Scholars were unable to break through Welling’s determined defence again. In fact it was the hosts who had chances to finish off the contest in the latter stages.

First, Ufuah broke through but fired over when Shattell came out, then Jack Thomas surged forward and shot towards the bottom corner where Shattell made an excellent save. 

Although Welling aren’t one hundred percent safe, it would take a remarkable set of results for them to drop through the trap door now.

Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Gunner, Arthur; Smith; Howard (Reeve 14), Reynolds, Gard (Thomas 69), Ufuah; Azeez.

Subs not used: El-Mogharbel, Paternoster, Stewart.

Goalscorers: Gunner (39)

Yellow cards: Majoyegbe (80 foul)

Potters Bar Town: Shattell; Adjei-Hersey, Kpohomouh, Halenin, Guzynski; Re, Young (Kpekawa 90); Kiwomya (Sabah 86), Rinder (Kibrom 86), Kyei (Brammeld 66); Chalwell.

Sub not used: Pinheiro.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Re (28 foul), Chalwell (34 foul), Kilbrom (90+3 foul)

Referee: Patrick Jolliffe

Assistants: Patrick O’Reilly and Robert King

Attendance: 675

Pictures supplied by Chris Zimmerman.