Report
Welling made it six unbeaten and claimed their 2nd clean sheet in successive games as they beat East Thurrock United at Park View Road on Saturday. It was a display that pleased Manager Steve King in parts but even The Wings manager admitted their was more to come from his new look side.
As early as the first minute, The Wings won a corner, Jebb whipped it in but Thierry Audel was unable to get a clean connection on the header and it was saved by Jack Giddens. In a frantic start to the game, East Thurrock came close as they hit the post. Sam Higgins crossed the ball and Tom Derry flicked his header goalwards that hit the post.
Another corner by Jebb was whipped in and flicked on by Ambrosine but Goldberg was unable to steer the ball home.
East Thurrock prolific striker Sam Higgins was bundled over just outside the area, but he crashed his free kick against the wall and out for a corner.
This signalled a small spell of possession for the away side and Dan Wilks had to stand tall as Roman Percill was played through but Wilks saved with his chest.
It proved a big save as Welling took the lead in the 16th minute. After breaking at speed Kiernan crossed for Goldberg who had a header cleared for a corner. It was from this corner Welling scored. Jebb whipped an out swinging free kick into area, where Brendan Kiernan was on hand to expertly side foot the ball into the bottom corner for his 6th goal in 8 games.
The goal settled Welling down and allowed them to express themselves more as the half went on. Skipper David Ijaha broke forward and hit a rasping effort just over the bar.
In the 27th minute The Wings doubled their lead with an excellent team goal. Danny Mills may not have got on the score sheet, but his work in the goal was fabulous. Holding up the ball deep in midfield before playing a sublime pass to set Kiernan away, he found the over lapping Braham-Barrett who then calmly found Jack Jebb, who on his weaker left foot found the bottom corner with his strike from just inside the area, to cap a fine team goal.
Two minutes later it could have been 3, Goldberg burst forward before firing an effort that was well saved by Giddens.
On the half hour Ashley Miller broke into the Welling area, James Hurst moved his leg away from the challenge but Miller went down and was booked for diving by referee Massey-Ellis.
Five minutes before half time, Welling took a short corner that resulted in Kiernan cleverly working his way into the area before he was upended in the area for a penalty. Bradley Goldberg stepped up but he almost telegraphed where he was going to put his effort and Giddens comfortably saved his spot kick.
This miss seemed to put Welling on edge even though they went into the second half with a two goal lead. This edginess was clear to see as East Thurrock started the 2nd half far better than Welling. Higgins hitting an effort over the bar from range, before Harry Lee saw a shot from outside the box saved by Dan Wilks.
Dan Wilks then produced an outstanding save, a curling effort from Roman Percill that was heading for the top corner but Wilks stunningly tipped the ball over the bar.
This seemed to shoot Welling into life and in the 69th minute Welling had three chances in a crazy 60 second period. First Giddens tipped a Goldberg effort from close range over after he looked certain to score. From the corner Mills headed towards goal, but again Giddens was their to tip it behind and then from the third corner in quick succession the ball found Kiernan on the edge of the area but his powerful drive was brilliantly saved by the busy East Thurrock keeper.
Wilks had to be alert again to deny Marlow who had managed to wriggle clear.
However that proved to be the last chance for East Thurrock who did cause Welling problems in the second half. Towards the end of the game Kiernan almost cheekily caught Giddens out at his near post but his powerful shot hit the post before inadvertently hitting Giddens and out for a corner, as the keeper puffed his cheeks out in relief.
The win sees Welling rise to 4th in the league after 10 games. Next week The Wings start their FA Cup campaign as Chesham United visit Park View Road. Kick off 3pm.
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