Welling United 4-1 Weston-super-Mare

Guthrie’s first goals for Welling ensured the club enjoyed a comfortable victory over the Somerset team placed fourth in the league before the start of the afternoon.

Barney Williams was unable to play following his injury at Staines so Jake Gallagher covered at left back whilst Welling played all three of their central strikers in a 4-3-3 formation.

Player-manager Jamie Day had an early shot punched away by Lewis Carey.

Carey then saved twice from Guthrie in between one from Ross Lafayette as the Wings’ swamped the Weston midfield however Weston did create an opening when Ashley Kington’s shot was blocked out as far as Dayle Grubb who sliced his effort wide.

On 21 minutes Welling went ahead when Lafayette’s excellent cross was met by a glancing header from Guthrie just inside the far post.

Guthrie had another shot deflected wide for a corner that was not defended well and Ben Martin saw his effort blocked wide. Although the second delivery caused less difficulty to the Seagulls, it was not long after that Guthrie added his team’s second, four minutes after going ahead.

Receiving the ball out wide, and seemingly in a non threatening position, Guthrie surged forward before cutting in and unleashing an effort that beat Carey inside his near post.

Goal-scorer Guthrie then turned provider with a cross that Lafayette nodded back for Lee Clarke whose first time shot was blocked by Carey at close range.

Chas Hemmings was lucky to escape a caution for an ugly hack at Joe Healy before Sam Mott made a save during an incredible goalmouth scramble as Weston tried to pull a goal back.

Hemmings’ poor control was punished five minutes from the break when he gave the ball away and Guthrie broke away down the wing. Having found Lafayette, the on-fire striker raced into the middle to meet the cross with a header that Carey could only divert over his own line despite a desperate attempt to claw it back out.

Kington was the first player booked, early in the second half for a foul on Day.

Two defenders got in each other’s way from a corner allowing Guthrie another chance but he shot wide before Matt Villis dawdled on the ball and was dispossessed by the effervescent Guthrie who fired into the side netting from a wide angle.

Jake Reid then had a shot saved but soon had another opportunity. Once again Hemmings was unable to hold onto the ball under pressure from the excellent Anthony Acheampong and when Welling broke Lafayette played in Reid who shot over.

Reid made it third time lucky when Healy found Lafayette and his low cross was tucked away clinically by the on-loan striker.

Substitute Theo Fairweather-Johnson had a shot blocked by Jamie Price and Clarke spun but shot wide as Welling searched for a fifth.

Pete Monks scored a consolation goal in injury time but there was still time for Villis to be cautioned for a foul. Fraser Franks’ free kick was saved.

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Welling United: Mott, Franks, Gallagher, Day (Kinch 82), Martin, Acheampong, Healy, Clarke, Reid, Lafayette (Hughes-Mason 80), Guthrie (Fairweather-Johnson 80). Unused substitutes: Main, Craddock. Att: 851.