WELLING United stumbled to their third consecutive pre-season defeat with a 3-0 loss at the hands of League Two Gillingham.

Absentees for Welling were captain Jack Parkinson, who is being chased by Southend United and Stevenage Borough, Loick Pires, on trial at Crewe Alexandra, and goalkeeper John Whithouse.

Visitors Gillingham brought a first team squad but Welling gave them a decent test until the introduction of a number of trialists.

News Shopper: Gills keeper Paolo Gazzinaga clears from Luis Cumbers. PICTURES BY DAVE BUDDEN.

Luis Cumbers, a former Gill, almost embarrassed Garry Richards but goalkeeper Paolo Gazzinaga was out sharply to smother the loose ball.

Dennis Oli then tried an audacious lob with the outside of his boot but Welling keeper Deniz Mehmet snaffled the effort.

Another ex-Gill, Andy Pugh, shot well wide and Luke Rooney did likewise at the other end.

Andy Frampton headed Rooney’s corner, the first of the match, over the bar in the 25th minute and Welling won their first corner moments later when Cumbers shot was deflected wide by Matt Fish after good work by Jamie Day, Loui Fazakerley and Lee Clarke.

News Shopper: Garry Richards goes to ground under a challenge from Lee Clarke

Mehmet had to be smart to save at the feet of Curtis Weston, Rooney had an effort deflected wide and Danny Jackman failed to hit the target from a long way out.

Charlie Lee’s foul on Jordan Johnson presented Fazakerley with a chance to sling in a dangerous free kick but Ben Martin was unable to find the target with his far post header.

Jack Obersteller played in Cumbers but Gazzinaga was out quickly again.

News Shopper: Jack Obersteller with former Wing Danny Kedwell (centre)

As half-time approached Rooney looked to be in on goal but the danger looked to have been averted as Obersteller’s pace forced him wide. A clever turn, however, presented him with a shooting opportunity with his right foot but he was thwarted by a goal line clearance for Day.

Both teams made changes at half time and Welling substitute Joe Anderson shot fiercely into the mid-drift of replacement goalkeeper Darren Hawkes.

Two minutes later and the deadlock was broken as Adam Birchall broke free and slipped the ball beyond Jack Bradshaw for his first Gillingham goal.

Birchall was then denied by Bradshaw but shortly after the former Dover strikers evening was brought to a premature end as he was stretchered off after a harmless looking challenge.

News Shopper: Replacement keeper Darren Hawkes saves from former Gill Luis Cumbers

Clarke had come close to heading home from another inviting Fazakerley cross before Gillingham increased their lead when Martin turned Barry Fuller’s cross into his own net.

Stephen Camacho had a shot well beaten out by Hawkes before former Welling favourite, Danny Kedwell, added a third from Jackman’s cross.

Welling United: Mehmet (Bradshaw 46), Sambrook (Harrold 70), Obersteller, Day (Conteh 86), Acheampong (Malik 46), Martin, Fazakerly (Camacho 66), Clarke (Heffernan 68), Cumbers (Healy 60), Pugh (Greenhalgh 66), Johnson (Anderson 46).

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