Struggling Welling United suffered another defeat when hosting Burgess Hill Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Before the start, it was suggested that it was a ‘must win’ match for the Wings and they did have good chances to claim the three points but the loss leaves them in penultimate place in the league table, six points adrift of safety.

They started reasonably well but it was the visitors who had the first opportunity when Chris Whelpdale’s low shot was saved by Freddie Norman. Although he couldn’t hold it, a defender got there first to clear ahead of Ben Pope. Reggie Ward then had a sight of goal from thirty yards but his radar was off and he arrowed his effort well wide. 

As had happened in midweek, Welling suffered a injury and were forced to reshuffle with less than twenty minutes on the board due to an injury to Eze Ebuzoeme. Leo Young came on and took up the defensive midfield spot, pushing Jack Thomas into a more advanced role.

Jack Meeres headed over at the near post before Welling’s Aaron Williams-Bushell showed great tenacity to create an opportunity for himself and aimed for the top corner bur goalkeeper Roco Rees got across brilliantly to claw it out.

Hamish Morrison went on a break down the wing for the visitors and cut in before shooting. Norman was well placed though, and caught it just above his head. Meeres then side-footed wide from close range after a free kick fell to him kindly before Glen Rea had a shot beaten out by Norman.

As half time approached, Femi Akinwande had a great chance for Welling when getting on the end of a long clearance and finding himself clear through. Rees came out quickly and spread himself. Had the Wings striker gone for a dink over Rees he might have put them ahead, however, his attempted slot was saved well.

Moments later, Burgess Hill went ahead. A sloppy Welling pass in midfield allowed Stefan Vukoje to break down the wing and cross low towards the near post. Martyn Box got their first and poked it home.

Three minutes after the restart, Welling drew level. Young burst down the same wing and crossed low to the far post. Morrison got back to stop it from reaching John Ufuah, but in so doing, he turned it into his own net.

Scott Simmons made a brilliant last ditch challenge to thwart Whelpdale before Meeres did likewise to deny Ufuah. Simmons then went on a long run forward before sliding Ufuah in but he slid his shot just past the post.

Whelpdale had a shot deflected just wide and Box met a deep cross but couldn’t hit the target with his header from a very tight angle.

Eleven minutes remained when Welling went behind again. A corner wasn’t cleared and it fell to Rea. Although his strike wasn’t hit cleanly, it found it’s way through to Meeres and he diverted it home.

Lekan Majoyegbe headed over from Jonah Walker’s corner before the visitors should have added a third deep into stoppage time, however, Vukoje launched a shot into Danson Park when left with just Norman to beat.

It is unlikely that a new managerial appointment will be made in the next seven days so interim manager Rod Stringer should have at least one more match to sign off with a win.

Welling United: Norman; Simmons (Redfearn 87), O’Neill. Majoyegbe; Adjetey-Brew; Williams-Bushell (Walker 81), Thomas, Paxman, Adjetey-Brew; Ebuzoeme (Young 18); Ufuah, Akinwande.

Subs not used: Clout, Boxall.

Goalscorers: Morrison og (48)

Yellow cards: Thomas (40 foul), Majoyegbe (69 delay of restart), Paxman (78)

Burgess Hill Town: Rees; Morrison, Williams, Meeres, Ward; Rea, Rowe; Vukoje, Whelpdale, Box; Pope (Vorster 53).

Subs not used: Worrall, Spinks, Gambin, O’Neil.

Goalscorers: Box (44), Meeres (79)

Yellow cards: Box (39 dissent), Whelpdale (90+6 delay of restart)

Referee: Marcin Indyk

Assistants: Nazarij Bilanovszkij and Gary Baker

Attendance: 483

Pictures supplied by Chris Zimmerman.