Victory over Cheshunt put Welling United three goals short of top spot in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Their two-nil win, combined with Enfield Town’s loss to Dartford, means that both teams are on eighteen points from eight games.

Ryan Maxwell’s Wings dominated the first half against Cheshunt. Kaan Bennett, Nahum Melvin-Lambert and Jamie Reynolds all went close before R’avan Constable made a great save to deny Lekan Majoyegbe. Welling went ahead on the half hour mark when Zak O’Keefe flicked Reynolds’ corner towards goal and Raul Da Silva appeared to get the last touch, heading into his own net.

Melvin-Lambert had an effort saved brilliantly by Constable and he kept getting himself in good positions and was rewarded twelve minutes after the restart. Bennett did superbly to get down the right and his precision cross was headed home from close range by Welling’s leading scorer this season.

Constable made a great save from Ryan Blackman then tipped a Reynolds free kick onto the bar and recovered to catch the rebound. Although the visitors pressed a little more in the last twenty minutes, they failed to create a chance inside the Welling penalty area or register a single shot on target.

After the game, a delighted Maxwell offered his views. “I’m delighted.” he said.

“We knew today was going to be a tough game against a team that have been in every game. They’ve had four draws, I believe. They’re a tough side and you could see why they’ve had the draws.”

He continued: “The attitude, the character and the mentality was spot on. We were superb in the first half, absolutely superb. The game should have been out of sight but it wasn’t. Second half, it’s finished two-nil. They had a go in the last fifteen minutes and we accepted that. We made the changes just to manage it out but it was all about the win tonight. It was all about keeping this home form of ours intact.”

At home, Welling’s defence is almost impenetrable. Maxwell beamed: “Brilliant defending today because you’re forcing people to hit and hope and nothing has worked well for them, nothing like what we were doing. I was delighted with the defending and the discipline, something that I’m keen on, and the boys, as a collective unit, all put a shift in off the ball and in possession.”

“Coops (Nathan Bertram-Cooper) was great and Lekan (Majoyegbe) was unbelievable in the air tonight. It was the Lekan that we all know and love. The pair of them are brilliant. As a pair they were brilliant in the air and they both deserve great credit, the whole back four do.”

“Another clean sheet, it’s four out of five at home, one goal conceded. Macca (Mackenzie Foley) included. The defence is so vital to win a game of football. It only takes one chance to score. If you keep them out for ninety (minutes), you’re getting three points.”

Compared to where Welling were before Maxwell took over is amazing. He admitted: “To say we’ve come a long way would be a massive understatement. Last year the club was in the relegation zone until late in the season. It’s night and day, chalk and cheese, and it’s been pure hard work with good people signed for the club.

As usual, he was keen to thank the supporters. “My number one priority is making this an absolute fortress.” said Maxwell.

“The fans are more important than anyone to get that cemented in. We need them here, the players play for them so when they get here, they want to see a big crowd and they are very, very appreciative after the game, We do need them loud and proud. We’re giving them everything we’ve got. It would be nice to have a little more noise if we could because the boys would love that.”

Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe (Ramsey 76), Majoyegbe, Bertram-Cooper, Arthur; Miller-Rodney (Blackman 46), Reynolds; Anyadike, Bennett (Smith 76), Shomotun (Howard 66); Melvin-Lambert (Kingsford 66).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Da Silva og (30), Melvin-Lambert (57)

Yellow card: Miller-Rodney (27 foul), Bennett (60 handball), O’Keefe (73 foul), Majoyegbe (90 ungentlemanly conduct)

Cheshunt: Constable; DaSilva, Naylor, Da Silva, Hedge; Iontton (Lanquedoc 62), Re; Granville, Coker, Vasillou (Bascoe-Fisher 78): Wood.

Subs not used: Ojo, Okafor, Richefond.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Naylor (35 foul), Da Silva (90 ungentlemanly conduct)

Referee: Abdulaziz Olol

Assistants: David Dice and Mungo Prior

Attendance: 

Pictures supplied by Chris Zimmerman.