Welling United rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Sutton United at Park View Road on Saturday.
The National League side made a quick start, firing themselves into the lead in quite some style with six minutes on the clock.
Dillon De Silva picked up possession before driving forward and unleashing an unstoppable effort from 20 yards which nestled inside the left-hand post.
Sutton were having much the better of things in the early exchanges and doubled their lead on 17 minutes when Siju Odelusi headed home at the back post from a corner.
The Wings sprung into life shortly after, coming close with a good-looking effort from distance from Martell Taylor-Crossdale, drawing a good, low save from Steve Arnold.
Moments later, the hosts came even closer with the ball dropping to TJ Bramble 22 yards from goal and his side-footed effort clipped off the crossbar.
Welling were enjoying a good spell and the woodwork once again – this time via Harvey Walker’s free-kick, before an ensuing goalmouth scramble saw Jack Burchell’s shot get hacked off the goal line.
However, just as the hosts were regaining a footing, Sutton hit a third – an initial Lewis Simper shot was blocked in the box, leaving Rhys Lovett wrong-footed and allowing Jayden Harris to complete a simple finish.
The Wings’ frustrating first-half was compounded. Late in the half when they were hit by an injury blow – the bright Walker was left grounded and requiring a stretcher to carry him off the field, enforcing a sub before the break, with Cameron Andrews entering the fray.
In truth, there was not much to report in the second half, although a nice passage of play stemming from Elliot Long’s clever flick in midfield resulted in Reece Grant breaking free in the box, only to be denied by the keeper.
Gene Kennedy’s deflected free-kick nearly caught out Arnold late on, but there would be no way through for Welling in their final test of the summer.
Attention will now turn to next Saturday when the Vanarama National League South season commences, with Rod Stringer’s men playing host to Aveley in DA16.
Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Chukwu 58), Burchell, Trialist A, H Walker (Andrews 45+1), Wells, Kennedy, Cornish (Munns 71), Bramble, Z Walker (Long 58), Taylor-Crossdale (R Grant 71).
Subs (not used): Pitterson, Borg.
Booked: Bramble 40 (unsporting behaviour)
Sutton United: Arnold, Jackson, French, Muller, Vaz, Simper, Odelusi, Harris, Boateng (Sivi 62), Davies (Nadesan 62), De Silva (Coley 62).
Subs (not used): Sims, Waller, Ransom, Williams, Wadham.
Booked: Harris 40 (unsporting behaviour)
Goals: De Silva 6, Odelusi 17, Harris 36
