Having had a bad day in the office on Tuesday night, Welling United bounced back with a convincing victory at home to Stanway Rovers in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

At Leatherhead in midweek, they conceded four times in the first half and could only pull one back late in the second period. The Wings’ manager, Ryan Maxwell, wanted an immediate reaction and that is what he got.

Nathan Bertram-Cooper headed a Ryan Blackman corner over early on then Tyler Rodney-Miller drew a comfortable save out of Dion Henry, a former Welling goalkeeper. At the other end George Holley tried his luck from thirty-five yards but his shot drew a comfortable catch out of Mackenzie Foley.

Next to have a chance for the hosts was Kaan Bennett who side footed well over from fifteen yards after a good move down the right involving Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo and Demaray Anyadike. Foley was then called upon to make an excellent save. A long throw caused the Wings problems and it fell to Matthias Famino. He tried to sweep it in but the Welling goalkeeper got down superbly to keep it out.

Nine minutes before the break, the Wings broke the deadlock. Fumnaya Shomotun looked as though he had nowhere to go, boxed in by the corner flag with his back to goal and surrounded by defenders. Somehow, he twisted and used his tight skills, getting free to break along the bye-line and chip in a cross. Although Nahum Melvin-Lambert was unable to head it home, it fell to Anyadike and he shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

As half time approached, Dean Gunner strode forward for the Wings and let fly but his shot flew over.

Shortly after the restart Foley made an easy save from a George Holley free kick before the Wings went two-nil ahead. Anyadike sent over a low cross and Melvin-Lambert met it at the near post and finished clinically.

Now, free to play a more expansive style, Welling moved it around nicely and sent Melvin-Lambert away. Although he was pulled back in the penalty area more than once, he kept his footing and fired just beyond the far post. Shortly afterwards a poor kick out by Henry gave Anyadike a run on goal and he made no mistake when slotting it home.

Amongst substitutions and a mounting tally of Stanway yellow cards Bennett fired over and Shomotun had a shot saved by the feet of Henry. The Stanway custodian then handled outside the penalty area and Jamie Reynolds’ free kick was headed off the line by Thomas Graves. Bertram-Cooper headed over from the subsequent corner.

Ten minutes remained when substitute Ade Azeez was fouled just inside the penalty area. Anyadike stepped up with a chance of completing his hat-trick but his spot kick clattered the post before flying out.

Foley was then called upon to make a brave save as Stanway broke and shortly after, created a fourth. Again, Welling’s goalkeeper came out as a sweeper, took it round a striker and looked for a target. He picked out Bertram-Cooper whose flicked header sent Azeez away. He burst through and finished confidently for his first goal of the season.

In the closing minutes, Welling’s clean sheet came under pressure when Charlee Hughes had a sight of goal. Gunner threw himself into the path of the shot to block and Hughes’ follow up was saved by Foley.

There was still time for Will Hayes to launch a Stanway free kick over before three minutes of additional time came to an end.

Next weekend, Welling head to one hundred percent Dartford in what promises to be an intriguing local derby. 

Welling United: Foley; Otseh-Taiwo, Gunner, Bertram-Cooper, Arthur; Miller-Rodney (Smith 69), Blackman (Reynolds 58); Anyadike, Bennett (Kingsford 65), Shomotun (Ufuah 65); Melvin-Lambert (Azeez 67). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Anyadike (36) (57), Melvin-Lambert (53), Azeez (87)

Yellow card: Blackman (42 foul)

Stanway Rovers: Henry; Parker, Graves, Dariri, Adams (James 58); Holley (Hayes 76); Cutbush (Bello 58), Adu; Fanimo (Curtis 76); Toussaint (Smith 76), Hughes. Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers:

Yellow card: Cutbush (51 dissent), Toussaint (61 foul), Holley (64 foul), Hughes (66 dissent), Henry (75 handball), Graves (78)

Referee: Joshua Langley-Fineing

Assistants: Max Doyle and Reece Cahalane

Attendance: 523

Images courtesy of Ronnie Hicks