Richard Carpenter (above) secured a crucial victory for the Wings at Park View Road yesterday.
Welling United 1-0 Eastbourne Borough
ANDY Ford's Welling moved one step closer to survival with a sensational victory against league leaders Eastbourne Borough on Easter Monday.
The performance from the Wings, along with the result, shows the improvement the Wings have made under Ford.
Monday's game was tight and closely contested throughout and in the first half, it resembled a chess match with chances coming mainly from set pieces or defensive mistakes.
The first real chance of the game came when Andy Atkin pulled his shot wide of the far post on 14 minutes as the league leaders nearly hit the Wings with a deadly counter attack.
A succession of passes between Orlando Smith, Dan Nwanze and Ellis Green almost carved through Eastbourne, only for Green's shot to find the arms of Lee Hook in the Eastbourne goal.
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Welling then created the best chance of the half on 36 minutes when a cross in from Green found Nwanze unmarked, but the midfielder only managed to head wide.
The second half turned into a real scrap and it was hard to believe there were so many league positions separating the two sides as Welling matched their opponents in every department.
Eastbourne, however, could have taken the lead through Atkin as he forced a succession of good saves from Jamie Turner.
The first of these came on 66 minutes when the Wings keeper somehow plucked the ball out of the air as Atkin's effort looked bound for the top corner.
Atkin then tested Turner again 13 minutes from time when his effort from the edge of the area forced the keeper to pull off a smart save low at his near post.
Eastbourne, though, weren't allowed to settle all game and the constant threat from Green and Smith finally paid off five minutes from time.
Green went on a charge at full back Neil Jenkins before Matt Smart caught the Welling winger, leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Captain Richard Carpenter stepped up to the spot and his penalty just found the back of the net after Hook got a touch.
The goal was just what Andy Ford's squad deserved after he saw his side lose to Braintree two days earlier via a penalty.
Welling hung on to their slender lead and three crucial points in their bid to win the seven-team relegation battle and keep their status in the Blue Square South.
In a busy day in the league, there were wins for St Albans and Weston Super-Mare but Bognor Regis Town and Maidenhead United both lost.
At the foot of the table, Sutton United and Dorchester Town look to be consigned to relegation.
Welling United: Turner, Kamara, Ryan, Carpenter, Moore, Ellison-Hustwick, Green (Howe 88), Cobbs, Gargan, Smith (Solomon 68), Nwanze (Remy 62). Subs not used: Crawley, Phillips. Att: 579.
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