There was little to choose between Welling United and Hemel Hempstead Town when the met in the hosts’ first Vanarama National League South home game of the season.

However, it was the visitors who claimed the three points in a one goal encounter.

Danny Bloor, the Welling manager, was without Mitchell Dickenson and Crossley Lema who were injured at Truro City seven days earlier, and Kareem Isiaka was dropped to the bench. As a result, Dominic Odusanya, Taofiq Olomowewe and Jephite Tanga were given their full debuts.

An early Welling corner by James Vaughan found the head of Odusanya but he couldn’t direct it on target and it flew well over. Then, at the other end, the Tudors came close with a corner of their own. George Williams delivered deep and found Chris Smith unmarked. Welling goalkeeper stretched out to fill as much of the goal as possible and the centre-back’s header flew back out having hit the custodian’s torso.

Route one football created the visitors’ next opportunity when a long punt forward beat the Welling defenders and allowed Reece Grant to burst through. He attempted to lob Winterbottom but it floated wide.

Danny Bloor, the Welling manager, made a tweak at the back and they started to ask more questions of the Hemel defence. TJ Bramble won a tackle in midfield. He found live-wire Tanga who slid Alex MacAllister free down the inside right channel. He drew Craig King out and his delicate chip over him went just wide of the far post.

In first half stoppage time the Tudors were reduced to ten men. Former Wing Alfie Matthews dived in on Will Wood and was shown a second yellow card having been cautioned twenty minutes earlier.

Although Welling had the majority of possession after the interval they struggled to create clear cut chances until Wood picked out Taofiq Olomowewe and he headed goalwards but King was well placed to turn it over.

Having not being able break down a determined Tudors defence, Welling were at danger of being caught on the counter-attack and Williams almost made them pay when his shot looked destined to go inside the far post until Winterbottom got down to fingertip it beyond the post.

Fifteen minutes remained when the complexion of the game changed again. Bramble’s tackle on Joe Re incurred the wrath of the referee and he was shown the red card. Three minutes later, the visitors scored. Antony Papadopoulos was deemed to have leant on Tyrese Briscoe in the penalty area and Williams stepped up to blast home from the spot.

Substitute Kain Adom had a shot tipped over and he had one last chance when meeting Amadou Kassarate’s cross but his header floated over with King an onlooker.

On Tuesday, the Wings have another chance to pick up their first win of the season when they entertain Chelmsford City.

Welling United: Winterbottom, Wood (Adom 68), Papadopoulos, Vaughan, Olomowewe, Burchell, Tanga, Bramble, MacAllister (Isiaka 74), Bramble, Odusnya (Kassarate 83). Sub not used Kamara, Byrd.