Hampton & Richmond 2-0 Welling United

The Wings lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with the returning James Baker and Ademola teaming up alongside leading scorer Charlie Sheringham.

Loui Fazackerley was the player to make way, Ademola was involved in Welling’s first chance when his low cross was gathered by goalkeeper Matt Lovett before an error by Tony Sinclair let Lawrence Yaku in at the other end.

Wings keeper David Wilkinson claimed the attempted chip with ease.

Sanchez Ming received the first yellow card of the match from a busy Mr Brook for a mistimed challenge.

Yaku almost got in again, although his clear push on Matthew McEntegart was not penalised.

Good work by Ming was controlled well by Baker and his clever play produced a shot which was blocked for a corner.

Ian Hodges of Hampton & Richmond was shown a yellow for a disgraceful high two-footed challenge on Sinclair and a stronger referee would have taken the more appropriate action of sending him off.

Sinclair retaliated and also received a caution.

As Welling continued to press, a Graeme Andrews pass gave Sheringham a golden opportunity to play Lee Blackburn in but he over hit the ball and the opportunity was lost.

Hampton’s only answer to the Wings’ football was by stopping the flow of the game by any means possible and Marcelle Fernandes earned himself a booking for a cynical block on Sheringham.

Welling’s frustration at the lack of strong action by the officials was clear and Andy Ford made the wise decision of replacing the unprotected and increasingly annoyed Ming with Ryan Johnson for the start of the second half.

Hodges had a snapshot easily saved by Wilkinson before he the keeper was again called into action, making a catch from a long range effort by Francis Quarm.

Although Hampton were now enjoying a lot more of the possession, Welling fashioned two great opportunities to open the scoring.

First, Johnson’s attempt went just wide following excellent link play by Baker and then Ademola’s cross set up Sheringham, who looked certain to score but he could not dig the ball out from under his feet.

Matt Lovett in the Hampton goal was fortunate to be able to pounce on the loose ball.

Another foul on Sinclair saw him injured and he was not even on the field for the first of two corners which Welling defended desperately.

Welling’s next break saw Baker and Sheringham combining well to offer a half chance to Admola, but his shot lost pace when deflected resulting in an easy save for Lovett.

Curiously, Baker was yellow carded even though he was the victim of another Hampton assault and had to leave the field of play to receive repairs to a bloody nose.

Sinclair’s evening’s work came to an early end when he was unable to run off the knock he had taken and was replaced by Gavin Dayes, returning from his own injury.

Quarm hit another shot high and wide but Welling’s relief was short lived as Hampton went ahead on 73 minutes.

Yet another long ball over the top finally paid dividends as Yaku broke free and this time he executed his lob perfectly.

Sheringham was immediately replaced by Fazackerley who almost equalised with his first touch by heading narrowly wide from Jack Parkinson’s cross.

Yaku was replaced by Nana Badu as a string of substitutions helped Hampton break up play.

Sonny Cobbs shot well over in a now rare attack and then Quarm was the recipient of the sixth booking dished out by the official.

As the clock ran down, Badu made the points safe chasing another hopeful punt and Wilkinson’s hesitation made it easy for him to finish.

Havant & Waterlooville’s participation in the FA Trophy means the Wings have another free Saturday before returning to league action next Tuesday at home to Hayes & Yeading.

Welling: Wilkinson, Andrews, Cobbs, Parkinson, McEntegart, Sinclair (Dayes 66), Ming (Johnson 46), Blackburn, Baker, Sheringham (Fazackerly 74), Ademola. Subs not used: Quinn, Mitten.