Welling claim derby victory at Bromley (From News Shopper)

Bromley 0-2 Welling United

8:26pm Saturday 13th October 2012 in Sport By Mark Doig

ABSENCE of top flight football meant that Bromley and Welling United contested their North West Kent derby on this season’s designated ‘Non League Day’ and the two clubs put on an entertaining game.

Being one week before Kick it Out hold their ‘One Game, One Community’ week of action, they chose this match to raise the profile of the campaign against all discrimination and both teams embraced it by sporting their t-shirts during the pre-match warm up.

1,334 paying spectators turned out to watch two of the six Conference South teams remaining in this season’s F.A. Cup and it was the visitors who won the spoils at the end of an absorbing encounter.

Welling were the brightest starters and leading scorer Joe Healy was thwarted twice by Bromley goalkeeper Joe Welch in the opening minutes.

Sanchez Ming made a vital saving tackle on Kiernan Hughes-Mason at the expense of a corner but soon after, was the architect of a Bromley attack that ended with Sam Mott saving Richard Pacquette’s deflected shot.

Elliott Buchanan crossed beyond Pacquette from a promising position before a fine move by Welling saw Jerrome Sobers deflect Ross Lafayette’s shot over the crossbar.

Theo Fairweather-Johnson shot wide then had another effort deflected over for a corner.

After 20 minutes, Welling lost Jack Obersteller to injury and had to reorganise their back four with the introduction of Anthony Acheampong.

Hughes-Mason played a 1-2 with Lafayette but could only shoot into the side netting from a tight angle.

Ali Fuseini dispossessed Hughes-Mason and strode away to start a Bromley attack but the Wings’ wide man showed his industry by tracking back well to regain the ball.

New signing, Michael Boateng, combined well with Buchanan, but a promising attack came to nothing however the visitors had the next opening and it was far more productive.

Lafayette held up the ball before playing in Healy who found space on the left. Although everyone expected the in-form Healy to shoot, he played the ball across for Fairweather-Johnson to register his first goal in Welling colours.

In the last 10 minutes of the first half, the hosts lifted their game and Mott had to be alert to save from Boeteng after Fuiseini released him with a quick free kick then Sobers headed wide from Fuseini’s corner before Fuseini was again provider but Michael Malcolm’s cool finish counted for nothing as he was adjudged offside.

Ian Daly replaced Mike Jones for Bromley for the start of the second period but with just one minute played, Welling increased their lead. Healy’s free kick found Lee Clarke and the Wings’ skipper finished emphatically for his second goal in a week.

Marlon Patterson became the first player to be shown a yellow card for a foul on Lafayette who had been played in by Jake Gallagher before the hosts came close to reducing the deficit. Moses Swaibu caused confusion in the Welling penalty area and his attempt on goal was cleared as far as Pacquette who saw his header come back off the crossbar.

Healy then turned the Bromley defence but Welch was out sharply to save before the hosts made their second change bringing on Tony Finn for Buchanan.

Pacquette headed over following good work by Patterson, then caused chaos with a cross that Fraser Franks and Mott cleaned up.

Hughes-Mason wrong-footed Sobers but shot into the side netting before Welling’s second defensive reorganisation was necessary when Ben Martin was replaced by Scott Kinch.

A minute later Aaron Rhule replaced Boateng then Harry Baker came on for Hughes-Mason.

Finn’s corner was headed over by an unmarked Daly and a Patterson cross just evaded Rhule at the far post.

Welling continued to cause problems at the other end and after Baker’s corner was headed over by Lafayette, the speedy substitute burst through and appeared to be pulled back by Sobers but the referee allowed play to continue.

Sobers allowed his frustrations to get the better of him with a wild challenge on the outstanding Healy and was duly cautioned.

Neither side threatened again, despite five minutes of additional time being played. Welling held on for the three points that put them in third place whilst Bromley suffered their first defeat in eight games leaving them 16th in the table.

Both teams return to F.A. Cup action next week against teams from the Conference North with Bromley hosting Worcester City whilst Welling entertain Bishop’s Stortford.

Bromley: Welch, Ming, Patterson, Fuseini, Swaibu, Sobers, Boateng (Rhule 66), Jones (Daly 46), Malcolm, Pacquette, Buchanan (Finn 59). Unused substitutes: Howard, Joseph-Dubois.

Welling United: Mott, Fazakerley, Obersteller (Acheampong 20), Gallagher, Franks, Martin (Kinch 65), Hughes-Mason (Baker 69), Clarke, Fairweather-Johnson, Lafayette, Healy. Unused substitutes: Turner, Main.

Attendance: 1,334