Dartford 3-1 Welling United

Manager Rod Stringer was without Cory Adjetey-Brew who was representing his parent club, Queen’s Park Rangers, in a tournament in Europe, while Greg Cundle and TQ Addy were both injured. Scott Simmons came in at left back and full league debuts were given to goalkeeper Damian Niemczycki, Jack Thomas and Leo Young.

Ruben Shakpoke was restored to the starting line-up and made an almost immediate impact. In just the third minute he collected John Ufuah’s pass and his strike from the edge of the area gave former Welling goalkeeper Jonny Henly no chance.

Niemczycki was then given his first sighter from a Samir Carruthers free kick and he got behind it to save comfortably before the Wings came close to extending their lead. Ufuah cut in from the left and hit his shot was destined for the bottom corner until Henly stuck out his left leg and diverted it past the post.

George Whitefield had a header cleared off the line by Thomas before again coming close with a shot that came back out off the far upright.

Luke Allen shot wide for the Wings against the team that he represented for five years and Shakpoke had a shot saved by Henly. However, it was the Darts who had the last chance of the half when Niemczycki did superbly to turn Eddie Dsane’s shot past the post.

Any concerns that Dartford might have had of their unbeaten run of ten league games coming to an end were banished within five minutes of the restart. Olly Box created the first goal when bursting down the left and squaring for Dsane to bundle it home. Box was again involved when Box pulled it back to Carruthers. He played a simple pass to Dsane and he thrashed it home.

Just under twenty minutes remained when Welling had a great chance to equalise. Lekan Majoyegbe headed towards the post and nobody was able to get on the end of it for a tap in which allowed Michael Olarewaju to clear it off the line.

Jack Paxman thrashed a shot into the side netting before the hosts guaranteed themselves the points with eleven minutes remaining. Callum Jones used his strength to hold off his man before laying it off to Dsane. He passed out to Box who found the space to cut in and fire an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Six of Welling’s next seven games are scheduled to be played at home so the Wings have got to make that advantage tell to get themselves out of the relegation zone.

Welling United: Niemczycki; O’Neill (Walker 50), Young, Majoyegbe, Simmons; Thomas; Ebuzoeme, Allen (Scott 85), Paxman (Akinwande 80), Ufuah (Clout 64); Shakpoke. Sub not used: Redfearn.