Welling 1 v 0 Weston-super-Mare

Nationwide Conference South

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AFTER the pre-season break Welling United were back in action with a number of new players and a confidence-boosting victory, writes James Underwood.

New signings Mark Goodfellow, Des Boateng and Akwasi Edusei all made the starting line-up for the opening game against Weston-super-Mare.

The substitutes' bench was also full of new faces including the club's most recent signing Ronayne Benjamin.

It also included Andrew Sam who had only had international clearance to play granted last week but he would be the hero of the day, scoring the decisive goal.

Adrian Pennock was without Danny Kedwell for the curtain-raiser as last year's top scorer was suspended but he returns for tonight's trip to title favourites Lewes.

Pennock said: "Our performance was not brilliant but I will take the three points and clean sheet.

"I thought we would get the breakthrough as we finished the stronger, our fitness was superior to Weston and we always looked like we were going to score.

"Weston had come for a point, they slowed the game down and got 10 players behind the ball.

"Bringing on Sam and Benjamin was intended to liven it up a bit as they are quick and direct players and in the end it proved decisive."

In their new strip the Wings kicked off the first half which proved to be a very disappointing affair.

A snap shot which went wide from Che Stadhart just five minutes into the game was the closet the home side came to taking the lead.

Despite an uninspiring first half Weston were unlucky to have not taken the lead on two occasions.

A vital headed clearance from Jamie Day denied Lee Henry and Marvin Brown fired wide.

The second half was much improved with confident midfield display from the pairing of Des Boateng and Jamie Day in the centre of the park.

The two players were linking up well and just under the hour mark a superb Day run set up Boateng who fired just wide of the mark.

Weston were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty 20 minutes into the second period.

A mistake from Chris Moore allowed the Seagulls to cross the ball for Craig Loxton who seemed to have been pulled down by substitute Joe Vines.

Nevertheless the referee waved the play on, much to the annoyance of Weston's boss Frank Gregan.

The introduction of new signings Sam and Benjamin on 65 minutes changed the game in the Wings' favour.

The quick feet of both Sam and Benjamin caused the Weston defence huge problems and an excellent move from Sam allowed Stadhart to cross down the left flank for Matt Bodkin who headed just inches wide. Just minutes later Moore had a goal disallowed for offside but it was a sign of things to come. A swift move from one flank to the other via Day and Vines allowed Bodkin to deliver a high cross for Sam to place his header past the helpless Northmore. Like Weston earlier in the half, Welling too could have had a penalty when Bodkin was brought down just inside the area, however the referee ignored the Wings cries. Welling travel to title favourites Lewes tonight to build on this encouraging win. MATCH FACTS:WELLING: Turner, Goodfellow (Vines, 60), Guest, Boateng, Moore, Perkins, Bodkin, Rowland (Benjamin, 65), Edusei (Sam, 65), Stadhart, Day.SUBS NOT USED: Hyde, Lovell.ATT: 558.