In the first ever meeting between the two clubs, ten man Welling United defeated Enfield Town.

That followed their one-nil victory at St. Albans City on Saturday as they completed their first back to back victories since mid-March and consecutive clean sheets for the first time since April.

Having gone into the match at St. Albans on the back of five consecutive defeats, the six points were required to move them back towards mid-table ahead of a busy end of October and month of November.

Rod Stringer’s team made harder work of the Enfield game than they should have done by missing a penalty and having a man sent off, but they held on to claim the victory.

Leading goalscorer Anointed Chukwu had Welling’s first opportunity with a fierce drive that Rhys Forster palmed over the bar before Elliot Long had a goal-bound shot blocked wide for a corner. If they thought that they had escaped the danger, Enfield were wrong as Daniel Martin’s low inswinger went straight into the net to put the hosts ahead.

Martell Taylor-Crossdale fired across the face of goal before he had a great opportunity on the stroke of half time. Alex Lankshear was brought down in the penalty area and the Welling striker took the responsibility. Just as he steadied himself to strike it, he lost his footing and looked on in dismay as his spot kick came back out off the post.

After the break, Long again had a shot deflected wide before their task was made harder by two harsh yellow cards in seven minutes ending Lankshear’s participation.

Stringer reacted by replacing Taylor-Crossdale with defender Chiori Johnson and changing their shape to two banks of four, making it difficult for Enfield to break them down. Rhys Lovett made a simple save from Lennon Peake before he was called into proper action as the game moved into the last ten minutes. Billy Leonard picked out Youngs and his firm downward header was kept out brilliantly by Lovett’s right hand.

Searching for the goal to kill the match off, Martin fired over before substitute Josh Redfearn missed a great opportunity to mark his first appearance with a goal. TJ Bramble played him through with just Forster to beat but, although the debutant managed to round him, Xavier Benjamin was able to get back to clear it off the line.

Lovett had to hold a daisy-cutter free kick by Peake then Daniel Cox headed over in stoppage time before the Welling supporters were able to celebrate their first home win since early September.

Welling United: Lovett, Donkor, Martin, Statham, Winfield, Lankshear, Cornish, Kennedy (Kelly 90+4), Chukwu (Redfearn 68), Long (Bramble 76), Taylor-Crossdale (Johnson 63). Sub not used: Pegrum.