AFTER the traditional opening fixture at home to Charlton Athletic, Welling United continued their pre-season campaign with a game at Kent League Cray Valley (PM) three days later .

Early chances were few and far between but Welling wore their hosts down and their superior fitness told with a flurry of late goals.

Joe Healy’s cross was headed wide by Ben Martin and Jack Carthy made an outstanding save from a Luis Cumbers header however had the Welling striker netted, the goal would not have stood as he was clearly offside.

Ryan Flack, playing wide on the right, swung in a cross that Loui Fazakerley almost nodded home before Ross Lafayette was thwarted by a superb defensive block.

Another opportunity came and went when Laffayette’s attempt came off the post and both Flack and substitute Scott Kinch saw efforts blocked away.

Eventually, Welling went ahead when Flack played a one-two with Lafayette before firing accurately into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Joe Healy had a snap shot well saved by Carthy as the first period finished with the visitors on top.

Both teams made wholesale changes to their line ups but Welling continued to enjoy the majority of possession.

Jon Main had the first opportunity of the second half but Carthy was out quickly to tackle him.

Anthony Acheampong headed against the bar and Kiernon Hughes-Mason struck the far post from a very tight angle before Welling doubled their lead.

Jack Obersteller crossed to the far post, Hughes-Mason headed the ball down, and Main made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Harry Baker had a shot deflected over before Main scored again, nodding in Obersteller’s corner at the near post.

Danny McGuire’s cross was met by Kinch but his header was tipped onto the bar and over by Carthy however three goals in the last five minutes punished a tiring Cray Valley team.

First Main completed his hat-trick with a good turn and shot from the edge of the penalty area then Jamie Day collected a Hughes-Mason pass before passing the ball beyond Carthy from a similar area.

Finally, Main again burst through and was stopped by a defender’s arm blocking the ball and Baker stepped up to bury the spot-kick.

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