Welling United 3-1 Gloucester City
Welling beat a spirited Gloucester City side to go top of the Vanarama National League South. It was a valuable win against a side who belied their league position and proved stubborn opposition.
The Wings got off to the perfect start and scored a fabulous goal after just 4 minutes. L’Ghoul showed sublime skill to beat two men and run down the wing, he played the ball inside to Coombes who flicked on for Paterson, looking like he may shoot he calmly played the ball to Kiernan who swivelled and smashed the ball home for a well worked goal.
The Tigers almost got an instant reply Chris Knowles shooting just wide after Matt Liddiard’s knock-down on the edge of the area fell nicely for him. Knowles soon after headed wide as Gloucester certainly didn’t shy away from attacking Welling.
Brendan Kiernan took a long ball down with a sublime piece of control but then fired his effort at Adam Przybek.
This signalled a sustained passage of possession for Welling. Coombes headed over a Craig Braham-Barrett cross. Before Coombes came even closer shortly after, great work from L’Ghoul saw him fizz a cross low into the area where Coombes met the cross with a poked effort but Przybek made an outstanding save to deny him.
New signing Montel Agyemang who was having a good debut for the Wings played a nice ball through to Kiernan but his shot lacked power and was saved by Przybek.
A deep free kick into the Welling area was met by Liddiard but he headed over.
Matt Paterson had the final chance of the half smashing a loose ball just wide from 30 yards, for what would have been a stunning goal.
Welling needed a big start to the 2nd half and they got one in the 49th minute. Coombes intercepted a poor clearance and was then brought down on the edge of the area, with big appeals for a penalty waved away, a free kick was awarded instead. Up stepped Nassim L’Ghoul who curled an exquisite free kick over Przybek and into the top corner for his first goal in a Welling shirt.
Wilks had to be at his very best soon after saving a Robert header from point blank range with a strong hand. During this passage of play Welling were screaming for the ball to be put out of play with L’Ghoul down injured.
Wilks made an even better save on the hour mark saving Sam Avery’s header as Wilks had to dig Welling out of trouble.
With Gloucester pouring forward at every opportunity it always left The Tigers vulnerable to a counter attack. In the 67th minute Kiernan took advantage of a sloppy pass from Knowles to surge forward who then played a smart ball across the box for Matt Paterson to calmly stroke the ball first time into the bottom corner for a debut Welling goal.
Coombes almost added a 4th but he dragged his shot wide when well positioned.
Welling then made a double change with Coombes and Kiernan replaced and this double substitution seemed to effect The Wings as they lost concentration and momentum.
So it was no surprise when in the 77th minute Gloucester pulled a goal back. Harry Williams playing a well weighted ball through to Joe Parker whose shot went in via the far post.
Despite a serious of corners that Welling dealt with, The Wings saw the game out professionally as they bounced back from their cup deafest last week. The Wings now face a tricky away game at St Albans City on Tuesday night.
