Following relegation from the Vanarama National, Welling United started the new campaign in the South with a game at Oxford City.

Before the start of the game, there was a one minute spell of silence, impeccably observed by supporters of both teams, held in honour of the recent death of Oxford's Managing Director, Colin Taylor.

Once the game had started, it soon became evident that the very bobbly pitch was not conducive to good football and both teams resorted to a long ball game.

Godfrey Poku had an early effort that went wide before Oliver Sprague had an opportunity from 30 yards but was unable to find the target with his first time effort at an unguarded goal.

Sprague's next piece of the action was bringing down Poku in the penalty area as he was about to let fly. Referee Adam Ricketts had an easy decision when awarding a penalty and booking Sprague, but, sadly, took no action about the Oxford players crowding him, an offence that is now supposed to result in severe penalties.

Liam Enver-Marum stepped up to send Chris Lewington the wrong way from the spot to give the hosts the lead.

Trying to make amends, Sprague stuck in a delightful free kick that Danny Waldren was not able to turn back at full stretch.

At the other end Tom Winters came close when meeting a free kick at the far post but could not finish.

After 22 minutes, Welling levelled. A clearance found Waldren on the edge of area and he fired home gleefully into the bottom corner.

Shaun McAuley missed a great chance to restore Oxford's lead but went wide with an instep volley from close range from Soares' free kick.

Harry Crawford registered a shot on target after turning two defenders but was unable to find the power to trouble Jack Stevens.

Another opportunity went begging when Sprague fired a free kick well over after Crawford had been bundled over.

Surprisingly, despite the first half having had two goals, two bookings and a drinks break, just one additional minute was played.

Soon after the break, Waldren tried his luck with a volley that flew well wide before Oxford regained the lead.

Once again, Sprague was deemed to be the transgressor in conceding the penalty, however on this occasion there seemed far more doubt. Enver-Marum again stepped up and although Lewington went the right way, his shot had the accuracy and power to find the bottom corner.

Tom Winters had a header wide before shooting over soon after.

Robbie Cundy headed wide from an Oxford corner before Dean Leacock's free kick was headed over by Crawford. Then McAuley shot wide with a first time effort for Oxford.

Sean Francis headed over when a corner was just behind him before Scott Davies came close at the other end with a curler just beyond the far post.

Warren Whitely drew a save out of Stevens at the near post then Waldren met a corner with a powerful header that flew wide.

Having already awarded two penalties, the referee should have awarded a third. Having punched out a corner, Stevens then appeared to take a swing at Francis before dragging him to the ground by the neck.

Stevens' poor punch out allowed Bobby Devyne a long distance first time effort at an unguarded net but he, like Sprague earlier, failed to hit the target.

Finally, Stevens' time wasting antics earned him a booking but it was too late to have an affect on the outcome.

Mark Goldberg's team will need to pick themselves up quickly as they entertain Bishop's Stortford at Park View Road on Tuesday evening.

Welling United: Lewington, Nelson, Brown, Corne (Whitely 59), Francis, Leacock, Hatton, Waldren, Slabber (Smith 65), Crawford, Sprague (Devyne 68). Unused Substitutes: Banton, Johnson.