BY MARK DOIG
Three vital points were claimed by Welling United in their National League South match at home to fellow strugglers Weymouth on Tuesday night.
Recently released Ebbsfleet United goalkeeper Dylan Berry has been snapped up by Wings boss Rod Stringer and was thrown straight into the first-team to replace Rhys Lovett, who sustained an injury in stoppage time in Welling’s New Year’s Day defeat at Maidstone United.
The only other change to the Wings team from that day was striker Theo Alexandrou replacing centre-back Alex Lankshear, who has returned to Blackpool after the expiration of his loan contract.
Former Charlton Athletic youngster Sahid Kamara, who came up through their academy and played for their U18s and U21s, has also been added to the Welling squad. He has joined on loan from Birmingham City, having signed for them in the summer, and took a place on the substitute’s bench.
Just seven minutes had passed when the Wings went ahead. Sam Cornish whipped in a diagonal free-kick that was attacked by Riccardo Di Trolio and he gave Weymouth goalkeeper Will Buse no chance with a powerful header home.
Chiori Johnson screwed a shot wide before he came closer with an opportunity with his right boot that flew just wide of the near post. In a rare Terras foray, Jake McCarthy tested Berry with a shot from outside the penalty area but the debutant goalkeeper was up to the challenge and tipped it over.
FOOTBALL (WELLING HOME)
FOOTBALL (WELLING HOME)
FOOTBALL (WELLING HOME)
Theo Alexandrou had a header cleared off the line by Corey Jordan before he received TJ Bramble’s pass and crossed low for Josh Redfearn, who failed to make a clean contact. Alexandrou had another effort saved well by Buse at the cost of a corner and the visitors’ goalkeeper was again called into action when clawing it out after a goalmouth scramble from Dan Martin’s delivery.
Bramble had a shot blocked out by Buse before Berry made a comfortable save from McCarthy in first-half stoppage time.
Warren Feeney, Weymouth’s manager, had stern words with his team at the break and they looked more determined at the restart. It took 15 minutes for the hosts to have another shot when Buse saved from Bramble.
Following treatment, Alexandrou had to be withdrawn and within five minutes, replacement Zain Walker scored the crucial second goal. Martin pulled it back to Redfearn, whose shot was kept out by a brilliant reaction save by Buse. Unfortunately for him, it came straight back out to Walker, who made no mistake from close range.
Malachi Linton had a shot saved by Berry at the near post but Weymouth did not really threaten again until two minutes from time. They won a corner which bobbled around in the box until it fell to Jordon Thompson and he scrambled it home via the far post.
Six minutes of stoppage time were indicated but Welling saw them out comfortably and claimed the victory that moved them two places up the league table.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN