Although the score-line was harsh Welling United were second best in both penalty areas in their Isthmian League Premier Division defeat at home to Brentwood Town.

In just the third minute, Welling gave an indication of their sluggish start when a poor back pass was intercepted by Charlee Hughes but Welling goalkeeper Roraigh Browne forced him wide and he could only fire into the side netting.

Just under fifteen minutes were on the clock when the visitors went ahead. There appeared to be little danger when it fell to Kymani Thomas but he arrowed a long range effort that gave Browne no chance as it flew inside the far post.

At the other end Troy Howard burst through and played a one-two with Bradley Sach before firing towards the bottom corner but Melvin Minter made an excellent one handed save to keep it out.

Dylan Pepe was then fouled as he tried to clear but the referee and his assistant ignored it and awarded a throw to Brentwood. The visiting team took full advantage when it found its way to Hughes whose shot appeared to take an unnatural kick off the surface to lift it over a grounded Browne and into the net.

Two minutes later, Hughes scored again when he feasted on an under-hit headed back pass and fired beyond a helpless Browne.

John Ufuah got on the end of a deep free kick for Welling but his header came back out off the post. He came close again when breaking through down the left and firing towards the far post but Minton got down well to make a brilliant save.

Once more, Minton was called into action before half time when making another good save from a shot by Sach.

Immediately after the restart, Brentwood came close when Louie Johnson arrived late to get on the end of a low cross but his side-foot shot was deflected well beyond the far post. Alejandro Machado then fired over.

Lekan Majoyegbe shot wide for the Wings before Jack Thomas blocked a clearance and it fell to Sach. Unfortunately for the hosts, it didn’t roll kindly for him and the Brentwood defenders got back to crowd him out.

He did pull one back on the hour mark though. He was manhandled by Ethan Kaiser as he tried to break away just inside the Brentwood half and he got on the end of the deep free kick to head beyond Minter and into the net.

Ufuah shot wide of the far post before Machado hit a long range effort that bobbled harmlessly wide. Again Ufuah was off target then Welling substitute Halim Bangura got on the end of a cross but was unable to divert it inside the post and it flew narrowly wide.

As Welling sent players forward, the visitors tried to pick them off on the counter attack and a shot by Machado came back out off the inside of the upright. The Wings then had a big shout for a penalty turned down and Brentwood again broke and, this time, made no mistake. A diagonal pass sent Jesse Olukolu away and he tucked it away into the bottom corner.

Pepe tried his luck from thirty five yards but was well off target, however, Browne was twice called into action in the latter stages. First he did well to hold onto a low shot by Benas Valvada. Then he came out sharply to block Olukolu.

There were no further chances and Welling remain nine points adrift of safety going into 2026. 

Welling United: Browne; Savane, Majoyegbe, Arthur (Walker 90+2), Pepe; Thomas, Chambers (Reynolds 57); Howard (Cundle 65), Black (Bangura 77), Ufuah; Sach (Addy 86). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: Sach (60)

Yellow cards: Pepe (24 dissent), Chambers (40 foul)

Brentwood Town: Minter: Freeman, Cripps, Kaiser, Hudson; Agyemang (Edwards 76); Ogunleye, Johnson (Webber 86), Machado, Thomas (Vaivada 71); Hughes (Olukolu 71). Sub not used: Royal.

Goalscorers: Thomas (15), Hughes (25, 35), Olukolu (82)

Yellow card: Kaiser (59 foul)

Referee: Nick Reece

Assistants: Mark Baxter and Ronnie McGibbon

Attendance: 1,088

Images courtesy of Keith Gillard