When Welling United ended Yeovil Town’s unbeaten home record with a one-nil victory, it was far from being a case of ‘smash and grab’.

Rod Stringer’s Wings were excellent value for their win which resulted in them being the only team to complete the double over the club that are almost certain to be crowned as Vanarama National League South champions.

He made two enforced changes to his starting line-up from the team that had lost to Farnborough five days earlier. Neither Sonny Fish nor Crossley Lema had been well enough to train with the team and were replaced by Chiori Johnson and Antony Papadopoulos. He also changed the formation to counter Yeovil’s strengths, while playing to those of the players that he had available.

Having to play twice a week means that Welling can only train once so it has been difficult for Stringer and Assistant Manager Kevin Watson to implement their methods having been at the club for just six weeks. Yeovil have no such problems as they are a full time club so train every day.

After a difficult first ten minutes in which Morgan Williams twice headed off target, Welling settled and more than matched the league leaders. Jason Adigun’s first time chip went just over before Anthony Grant sent him clear down the left to centre for Reece Grant but Joe Day got down to save his stabbed effort.

Frank Nouble forced his way through for Yeovil but his low shot was saved comfortably by Reice Charles-Cook before Anthony Grant spotted Day off his line and attempted a lob from close to the halfway line. Day was alert enough to see it coming and got back to claim it.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton found space at the edge of the Welling penalty area and tried to measure a shot into the bottom corner but Charles-Cook was equal to it and made an excellent diving save to push it round the post. Day was in action once more before the break when saving a cleanly hit Antony Papadopoulos strike.

Cameron Green tested the Yeovil stopper early in the second half with a free kick that was too hot to handle but Day was able to recover it before anyone could take advantage.

Matthew Worthington shot over for the hosts before Day made a brilliant diving save to turn Papadopoulos’ twenty-five yard drive round the post.

Eighteen minutes remained when Welling went ahead. Jay Foulston was hurried by Adigun’s harrying and his hurried pass put Charlie Cooper under pressure. The Yeovil manager’s son failed to control it and Anthony Grant nicked it away before blasting it home despite the tight angle.

Mark Cooper reacted by replacing the disappointing Jordan Young with Olly Thomas and he had a chance with a low shot aimed towards the far corner that Charles-Cook touched round the post.

That was as near as the hosts came to scoring as despite throwing Williams up front for the remaining minutes, and Day joining the attack three times in the six minutes of stoppage time, the Welling defence remained resolute and held on to the all important clean sheet and three valuable points.

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Johnson (Lema 85), Green, Di Trolio, Ellul, Byrd, Adigun, A. Grant, R. Grant (Fish 85), Papadopoulos, Kennedy. Subs not used: Foyo, Burchell, Holness.