Victory at home to Weymouth gave Welling United their first Vanarama National League South points of 2025.

Rod Stringer’s Wings came into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats and their buffer from the relegation zone had been reduced to six points. Meanwhile, visitors Weymouth had recorded three draws in the league in their fight against relegation under new manager Warren Feeney, a former Welling boss.

New Welling goalkeeper, Dylan Berry, was given an early first touch when claiming a header by Malachi Linton before the Wings went ahead in the eighth minute. Sam Cornish swung in a free kick that Riccardo Di Trolio met with a towering header that flew home.

Chiori Johnson came close with a shot that whistled past the near post before Berry tipped a Jake McCarthy shot over. After Theo Alexandrou’s shot was blocked wide he met Dan Martin’s corner with a header that was nodded off the line by Corey Jordan.

TJ Bramble sent Alexandrou down the inside right channel and his low cross gave Josh Redfearn a sight on goal, but he fluffed his lines and the chance was lost. Alexandrou continued to pose problems and he had a shot turned around the post by Will Buse. The difficulties for the Terras didn’t end there and when the corner came over a goalmouth scramble ensued, ending with Buse hooking out Alexandrou's flick with his right hand.

Martin had a shot blocked into the path of Bramble whose effort was blocked out by Buse before Berry made the last save of the first half.

Feeney probably read the riot act to his players at half time as the Terras looked more lively after the break. Jake McCarthy had a shot saved by Berry before Bramble had a first time shot held by Buse.

Just after the hour mark Alexandrou had to be replaced and Zain Walker and the substitute did not wait long to make his mark. Martin pulled it back to Redfearn and Buse made a stunning reaction save to keep it out. However, it went straight to Walker and he finished gleefully.

Linton had a shot saved at the near post by Berry and Ben Greenwood headed wide before the visitors gave themselves a lifeline with one minute remaining. Linton surged through and did well to get a shot away that was blocked out for a corner. It was delivered to the far post and fell to Jordon Thompson whose effort went in off the far post.

Although six minutes were added, Welling were not troubled again. The win pushed them up to eighteenth in the league table ahead of their difficult next game, away to league leaders Torquay United.

Welling United: Berry, Johnson (Kamara 80), Martin (Perkins 78), Statham, Winfield, Di Trolio, Kennedy, Cornish, Redfearn, Alexandrou (Walker 63), Bramble (Grant 89). Sub not used: Taylor-Crossdale.