Eastleigh 3 – Green, Gillespie, Montgomery
1. Gareth Barfoot
2. Andy Forbes
3. Michael Green
4. Jamie Brown
5. Tom Jordan [c]
6. Ross Bottomley
7. Ian Herring
8. Richard Gillespie
9. Jamie Slabber
10. Sam Wilson
11. Graeme Montgomery

12. Jordace Holder Spooner (Wilson) 76
13. Matt Wilsher
14. Danny Smith (Forbes) 63
15. Billy Tsovolos
16. Adam Cashin Murray (Gillespie) 85

Welling United 0

1. Dan Thomas
2. Andy Sambrook
3. Jack Obersteller
4. Jamie Day
5. Jack Parkinson [c]
6. Ben Martin
7. Loui Fazakerley
8. Lee Clarke
9. Loick Pires
10. Andy Pugh
11. Joe Healy

12. Luis Cumbers (Pires) 69
14. Anthony Acheampong (Martin) 85
15. Tamer Tuna
16. Jordan Johnson
17. Ben Davisson (Sambrook) 55

Referee: Mr J.O’Brian

Welling once again dropped points away from home as they were defeated by relegation threatened Eastleigh 3-0

In a game where Welling struggled throughout, Eastleigh took the lead on 30 minutes through a fine Michael Green goal. In the second half, Joe Healy was sent off for two yellows – one for simulation – and whilst pushing for an equaliser, Eastleigh scored twice sealing the win.

Welling remained unchanged from the side that beat Dorchester last week despite Acheampong returning from his one match ban as the opening minutes saw Healy and Obersteller find plenty of space on the left wing. But on ten minutes Healy found himself in the book after lunging after a miss controlled touch.

Welling have conceded eight penalties in the league this season and the Spitfires thought they should have the ninth as Pires appeared to lean on Jordan from a long throw but O’Brian waved the protests away. But the forward did pick up a yellow for an innocuous foul a minute later.

With both sides looking sterile in attack, a set play seemed the most likely way to score and the hosts did just that on the half hour mark. Jamie Day brought down Wilson on the edge of the box and although the original free kick was blocked, Michael Green’s long shot went straight into the bottom right corner giving the home side the lead.

Despite scoring only nine goals all season, Eastleigh looked the more threatening and could have made it two five minutes as a Herring throw wasn’t dealt with allowing Sam Wilson to have a close range shot creep just wide.

Welling’s passing game had completely deserted them and mistakes from Sambrook and Fazakerley almost allowed Montgomery to capitalise on the visitors’ sluggish performance. It took the Wings 45 minutes to have their first shot as Jamie Day lifted a free kick over the bar.

Eastleigh once again looked the brighter after the break as Wilson was put through after another Sambrook mistake but was denied by an excellent Parkinson block and five minutes later Wilson was through again after Martin missed a routine header but Thomas was alert and punted the ball clear.

Fazakerley should have done better with the ball as he found himself with space on the right but instead of crossing, he took a difficult shot on with went high and wide. Ben Davisson replaced Sambrook on 55 minutes but things got worse for the Wings when Joe Healy was sent off for a second yellow after diving in the box.

Eastleigh appeared content to sit on their lead and began to drop off despite the extra man as Cumbers replaced Pires on 69 minutes. But Welling still couldn’t work Barfoot until with 15 minutes to go, Luis Cumbers finally had Welling’s first shot on target spinning past Jordan but was closed down quickly by Barfoot blocking the shot.

But as Welling pushed for an equaliser, they left a lot of space at the back and the Spitfires punished them on 80 minutes. The newly introduced Holder – Spooner broke clear after a defensive clearance and after working some space from Martin - produced a lovely back heel to the on-rushing Gillispie who smashed the ball home.

The goal knocked Welling completely out of their stride and while they were still dazed, Eastleigh made it three as the impressive Holder- Spooner laid the ball to Montgomery who skipped past two challenges to hammer home on 83 minutes. The hosts easily coasted home to secure all three points.

Despite the loss, Welling remain in second place but could slip to third if the teams below them win their games in hand. The Wings will hope to bounce back from the disappointing display on Saturday against bottom club Hampton and Richmond.