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Welling United 2 Ebbsfleet United 4 match report

Welling remain rooted to the foot of National League South after Ebbsfleet’s quality told on Saturday.

The Wings took an early lead but the visitors never looked in danger once they levelled just after the half-hour.

Welling celebrate Tom Derry's early opener against Ebbsfleet. Picture: Dave Budden
Welling celebrate Tom Derry's early opener against Ebbsfleet. Picture: Dave Budden

Welling went ahead inside seven minutes when Harvey Bradbury’s cross from the right was headed in by Tom Derry, who showed plenty of desire to get ahead of his man.

The home side looked fairly comfortable for the opening half-hour, Shaq Coulthirst’s header lacking any power to trouble keeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke.

Fleet captain Chris Solly nearly turned a left-wing cross beyond his own keeper but was grateful to see the ball go straight into the arms of Louie Moulden.

The visitors levelled matters on 37 minutes when a short free-kick saw Ben Chapman cross to the far post. Rakish Bingham’s header was touched onto post by Boyce-Clarke and Alex Finney was on hand to turn the ball in from close range.

Ebbsfleet immediately turned up the heat on their hosts and were ahead two minutes before the break. The otherwise impressive Ade Shokunbi needlessly tripped Craig Tanner in the box and Bingham never looked like missing from the penalty spot.

Fleet added a third goal just three minutes after the break when Coulthirst was given too much space inside the penalty area and his shot deflected in off the unfortunate Welling captain Jamie White.

Coulthirst nearly added to his tally immediately but his shot was cleared off the line by Max Statham.

But Ebbsfleet were never in trouble against a Welling side who looked every inch a team sat at the foot of the table.

The pace of substitute Dominic Poleon caused them problems and they lost Taylor Curran to a hamstring injury before the visitors scored a fourth goal.

Tanner collected Louie Moulden’s long clearance and crossed for Poleon, who created space in the box and fired low for his 16th goal of the campaign.

Dominic Poleon celebrates scoring for the Fleet at Welling on Saturday. Picture: Dave Budden
Dominic Poleon celebrates scoring for the Fleet at Welling on Saturday. Picture: Dave Budden

Fleet could have had more if the final ball had greater quality while Welling - a threat at set pieces - never created enough from open play.

Welling, though, never stopped trying to attack and they eventually pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Shokunbi drilled home from 20 yards.

Welling: Boyce-Clarke, Barnes, Statham, Shokunbi, Bradbury, Akinyemi, Sablier (Wells 54mins), Derry, White, Curran (Pearce 72mins), Stevenson (Matthews 67mins). Subs not used: Allen, Burnett.

Ebbsfleet: Moulden, Jombati, N’Guessan, Bingham, Tanner, Romain, Solly, Paxman (Mekki 87mins), Chapman, Finney (Wood 72mins), Coulthirst (Poleon 62mins). Subs not used: Haigh, Domi.

Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo.

Attendance: 951.

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