Despite coming in level at half time with the slope advantage, Welling United were good value for their victory at home to Chichester City in their fight to avoid relegation from the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Chances were few and far between in the first half but the Wings scored twice in the first seven minutes of the second period, and went on to claim a huge three points.

They could have gone ahead in just the second minute when Troy Howard delivered a low cross to Ade Azeez but it was a fraction behind him and he could only direct it into the arms of Chichester goalkeeper Kieran Magee. He had another chance shortly after when rising to meet a cross by Jamie Reynolds, however, he was unable to get over it too keep it down.

Emmett Dunn headed wide for the visitors after Lloyd Rowlett’s corner was recycled then Isaac Bello’s long throw fell for Rowlett and his instinctive hook flew well over.

One last chance came Welling’s way before half time when a Howard cross was knocked out as far as Reynolds and Magee reacted well to block it out.

Two minutes after the restart, the Wings went ahead. Lewis Gard delivered a corner and captain Dean Gunner rose to head it beyond Magee and into the corner. Five minutes later, they scored again. Howard’s brilliant touch set him away down the right and he slid it across to the far post for Azeez to finish from close range.

Just after the hour mark, the visitors pulled one back. Mackenzie Foley made a brilliant save from
Dunn, but James Wild was quickest to react and force it over the line.

Azeez netted again from Lekan Majoyegbe’s knock down, however, he had strayed into an offside position and his strike was ruled out. He did not have to wait too long to score again, though, when he restored Welling’s two goal advantage with seventeen minutes remaining. Sam Smith delivered a corner, Azeez lost his man at the near post, and he glanced his header beyond a helpless Magee.

Although, Chichester substitute Ethan Prichard drove a shot just beyond the far post, the Wings dealt with most of what was thrown at them and substitute Olu Oluwatimilehin fired over from twenty yards out.

Foley was called upon to make a low near post save from Robert Hutchings and even though Welling were reduced to ten men when Oluwatimilehin was dismissed for two yellow card offences in stoppage time, they were not troubled again.

Ryan Maxwell, Welling’s manager, will monitor those with strains and knocks ahead of his team’s Easter Monday fixture at Brentwood Town, and they will travel to Essex brimming with confidence.

Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Gunner, Arthur; Smith; Howard (Stewart 54), Reynolds (Oluwatimilehin 79), Gard (Thomas 64), Ufuah (Paternoster 90+2); Azeez. Sub not used: Reeve.

Goalscorers: Gunner (47), Azeez (52), (73)
Yellow cards: Reynolds (54 foul), Stewart (69 ungentlemanly conduct), Oluwatimilehin (83 foul), O’Keefe (90+8 ungentlemanly conduct)
Red card: Oluwatimilehin (90+5 foul second yellow)

Chichester City: Magee; Jeanes, Davidson, Pashley, Hutchings; Moore, Dunn; Bello (Munt 82), Rowlatt (Obodo 53); Djemaili (Prichard 61), Wild (Rustell 82). Sub not used: Da Costa.

Goalscorer: Wild (61)
Yellow cards: Moore (50 foul), Hutchings (90+8 ungentlemanly conduct)

Referee: Sam Wigington
Assistants: Kennedy Kikulwe and William Prior

Attendance: 677

Images courtesy of Chris Zimmerman