Wings fly high at last

12:31pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

Bishop's Stortford 1-2 Welling United

AS A constant stream of aircraft landed at nearby Stansted Airport, Welling United soared to one of their best victories of the season at play-off chasing Bishop's Stortford last night.

Welling gave the hosts an early warning when, from their first corner, a goalmouth scramble resulted in Sam Gargan having a shot blocked and Max Ellison-Hustwick's follow up was cleared off the line.

This was short respite as within two minutes, Welling won another corner.

Debutant Michael Kamara slung the ball to the near post where Ellison-Hustwick rose unchallenged to head powerfully into the back of the net.

The Wings continued to press and Orlando Smith had a powerful shot which produced an outstanding save from Andy Young.

Ellis Green and Smith caused endless problems to the home team's defenders and it was against the run of play when Welling almost conceded, saved only by a header off the line by Kamara.

Minutes later, disaster struck as a woefully weak back-pass by Robbie Ryan allowed leading scorer Greg Pearson to round Jamie Turner and slot into the empty net.

Things could have got worse as Pearson set up Ahmed Deen, but his shot was high and wide when scoring appeared easier.

At this point, Bishop's Stortford were on top and the half-time whistle came as a welcome relief.

The second half was open, but the Wings defence, superbly marshalled by Chris Moore, reduced the home team to long-range efforts which Turner dealt with comfortably.

Smith, meanwhile, continued his man of the match display, first setting up Gargan for a shot which was blocked on the line, then hitting a shot which Young had to be sharp to keep out.

Welling's winner came with 10 minutes remaining when Sonny Cobbs received the ball in a non-threatening position.

As he moved forward, however, good running from others off the ball opened up the defence and his low shot beat Young and found the bottom corner of the net.

As the clock ran down, Welling looked the most likely to score again as Smith had two further efforts, one saved by Young and the other going just wide.

Welling: Turner, Howe, Ryan, Carpenter, Moore, Ellison-Hustwick, Green, Kamara, Gargan, Smith, Cobbs. Substitutes Stewart, Crawley, Phillips, Boakye, Bent.

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