Welling United moved up to fourth in the National League South with a battling win over a strong Oxford City side.
The visitors created several good openings in the second half and deservedly equalised with just seven minutes to play. But lady luck was on the Wings’ side and Anthony Acheampong was on hand to smash in a winner in the 90th minute.
Although Welling began the first half stronger, Oxford took the lead on 10 minutes as Kabongo Tshimanga glided into the area onto a chipped through ball and rounded Dan Wilks before scoring.
After 25 minutes of pressure, Welling finally caused Oxford significant problems as Jack Jebb’s free kick was headed onto the woodwork by Acheampong. The centre back was involved in the subsequent goal mouth scramble, but Craig King in the Oxford goal just did enough to prevent an equaliser.
King was powerless five minutes later as Brendan Kiernan finished off a neat passing move in and around the penalty area with a tidy finish for his fifth goal of the season.
Danny Mills’ traditionally strong hold up play was again in evidence throughout the first half. The tall striker was denied his first goal though after a questionable offside call ruled out his follow up to a Craig Braham-Barrett shot.
After their strong first half, Welling were on the back foot throughout the majority of the second period with Reece Flint, Udoka Godwin-White and Kyren Wiltshire combining well on the right wing.
Braham-Barrett and Acheampong had to produce some last-minute blocks and clearances to keep Welling in the game in the first 20 minutes of the half.
Their resilience paid off as Braham-Barrett found time to curl a great cross to the unmarked David Ijaha who flicked a header into the net for a lead.
The pressure wouldn’t relent though and Godwin-White was brought down by substitute Nassim L’Ghoul just a minute after the goal. The home crowd and team were furious though when referee Jack Packman pointed to the spot after consulting with his linesman when the foul looked to have taken place outside the area.
L’Ghoul’s blushes were spared though as Matt Patterson’s hard penalty clipped the cross bar on the way over.
Patterson would not be denied a few minutes later however. Acheampong once again cleared a promising attack by Oxford but as the ball came out to Ben Jefford, his daisy cutter cross was watched by all the Welling defenders until it fell to the big number nine who calmly equalised for the visitors.
Oxford had looked value for their point but on 90 minutes a long free kick was flicked on by Thierry Audel and Acheampong was there to rifle a left footed shot into the net for a 3-2 win.
After losing games in matches they have dominated and conceding last minute goals themselves, it was Welling’s turn to grab all three points their performance might not have deserved.
Welling United: Wilks, Banya, Braham-Barrett, Ijaha © (McDonald 89), Acheampong, Audel, Kiernan, Jebb, Mills, Goldberg (Mendy 65), McCallum (L’Ghoul 65):
Subs Not Used: Ambroisine, Pinney
Goalscorers: Kiernan (31), Ijaha (71), Acheampong (90)
Yellow Cards: Ijaha 69, L’Ghoul 74
Red Cards None
Oxford City: King, Godwin-Malife, Jefford, Jones, Ruddick, Oastler ©, McEachran, Fleet, Patterson, Tshimanga, Wiltshire (Fasanmade 81):
Subs Not Used: Atkinson, Krasniqi, Carter, Grantham
Goalscorers: Tshimanga (10), Patterson (83)
Yellow Cards: Godwin-Malife 80
Red Cards: None
Referee: Mr. Jack Packman
Attendance: 465
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.