Town don’t leave Stain on Day’s day

19 November 2009

JAMIE Day's tenure as Welling United manager got off to a winning start as his new charges won a third successive game without conceding a goal, writes Paul Carter.

The victory speaks volumes for a Welling squad that were ravaged by injury and suspension, but still had too much for a side fresh from an FA Cup win at Shrewsbury a week earlier.

Having survived an early scare when Graeme Andrews was outmuscled by Darty Brown, who inexplicably fire wide, Day's men took a ninth-minute lead.

Former Welling defender Michael Kamara made a mess of dealing with Tony Finn's cross and Tom Whitnell took one touch of the loose ball before firing past Louis Wells.

Charlie Mitten produced a magnificent safe to deny Andre Scarlett, although the linesman's flag would have rescued the Wings anyway, before Wells dived to his right to keep out a volley from the rejuvenated Lee Clarke (left) just before the break.

One goal never looked like being enough, but Welling effectively put the game to bed with two goals within five minutes of the restart.

Firstly, Clarke was brought down on the edge of the area, before turning in the rebound when Wells could do no more than parry Michael Deane's resulting free-kick into his path.

Two minutes later, Adrian Stone crossed from the right flank and Whitnell's pressure paid off as David Woozley turned the ball into his own net.

From that point, Welling never looked in any danger, with Clarke always a threat in a midfield position that fitted him like a glove and Day playing a holding role unfamiliar to Wings' supporters from his first spell at the club.

Deane was unlucky not to add a fourth when he ran from his own half before forcing a save from Wells.

A late injury to Lee Protheroe, who was also booked for his troubles, along with a yellow card for Day were the only black marks on a good day for the Wings, who should have added a fourth when Clarke fired wide in injury-time.

Welling United: Mitten, Protheroe (Bakare 90), Deane, Day, Sambrook, Andrews, Finn, Clarke, Stone (Hobbs 65), Whitnell, Fazackerley (Hurrell 78). Subs not used: Bennett, Gaisie. Att: 452.