Flat as a pancake Welling suffer Shrove Tuesday setback (From News Shopper)

Sutton United 2-1 Welling United

12:17am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Sport By Mark Doig

FOLLOWING defeat at Dover on Saturday that ended Welling’s record breaking run of consecutive league victories, they failed to bounce back at in-form Sutton United.

Changes were made to Welling’s line up with Anthony Acheampong replacing Ben Martin, debutant De’Reece Vanderhyde coming in for the injured Barney Williams, whilst a tactical adjustment meant Scott Kinch started ahead of Kiernan Hughes-Mason.

The Welling team seemed to struggle with the new formation and Sutton produced the flowing passing football that the Wings’ supporters had become accustomed to watching.

Sam Mott was in action early on, saving from Leroy Griffiths but Welling were denied an opportunity in their first meaningful foray when Jamie Day’s legs were taken from under him in the Sutton area, but incredibly referee Ryan Atkin waved play on.

Mott had to be out sharply again to thwart Marvin Williams, Harry Beautyman fired just over, and Jamie Stuart saw a header come back off the near post from a corner as Sutton continued to press for an opening.

Ross Lafayette had a shot from distance gathered by Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw, and a clever pull back from Joe Healy found Day but his shot was blocked before Mott was again called into action with a save from Beautyman.

Craig Dundas shot wide before being brought down to earn a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Sam Rents stepped up to strike the spot kick low to his right but Mott guessed correctly to make a great save.

Lafayette had a wonderful opportunity early in the second half, but having rounded Shaw, Welling’s leading scorer shot high and wide as he appeared to lose his balance.

After Scott Kinch headed Jack Obersteller’s cross straight at Shaw, Sutton went ahead when Dundas converted a cross from their right hand side.

Hughes-Mason replaced Lee Clarke but within minutes, Sutton doubled their lead. Another raid down the right wing left Obersteller exposed and once again, a low cross was converted by Harry Ottaway.

John Main replaced Kinch but Welling struggled to create much and Day was cautioned harshly for simulation when he appeared to have been caught.

Dundas headed wide for Sutton before Hughes-Mason broke through but tried to set up Main only to see Stuart intercept.

Simon Downer, Sutton’s right back, was cautioned after a succession of fouls before Theo Fairweather-Johnson replaced Healy.

Main set-up Lafayette superbly in the 88th minute to reduce the arrears but Welling couldn’t fashion another opening and it was the Sutton players and supporters who celebrated a deserved victory at the end of the game.

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Welling United: Mott, Vanderhyde, Obersteller, Day, Acheampong, Franks, Gallagher, Clarke (Hughes-Mason 62), Kinch (Main 68), Lafayette, Healy (Fairweather-Johnson 82). Unused substitutes: Turner, Martin.