Welling United secured a 1-0 win over Herne Bay in their penultimate pre-season test of the summer at the Crest Stadium on Tuesday evening.

George Evans’ goal just after the hour mark was the difference on the Kent coast as Lee Martin’s men banked another valuable friendly runout ahead of the big Isthmian League Premier Division kick-off in 11 days time.

A positive first half saw the Wings enjoy a number of chances, with Cameron Andrews forcing host stopper Joe Coleman into a pair of early saves, while Ruben Shakpoke rattled the crossbar with an excellent effort from a tight angle.

Debutant Bromley loanee Evans fired into the side netting, while Welling’s trialist goalkeeper pulled off a couple of fine saves of his own at the other end to keep the home side at bay, with the score goalless at the break.

Welling took the lead in the 63rd minute via Evans. The forward latched on to a nicely-weighted through ball and kept his cool, before lifting a good finish over Herne Bay keeper Joe Coleman too break the deadlock.

The visitors’ trialist goalkeeper was on fine form and made a number of good stops in the second half, with two in particular catching the eye as he stretched out a foot on both occasions to keep out Alfie Bloomfield, securing a clean sheet.

The Wings will now face one more pre-season challenge as they take on a Millwall XI at Park View Road on Friday evening.

Welling United: Trialist A, Simmons, Trialist B, Majoyegbe, Paxman, Penn (Trialist E 83), Trialist C (Sinai 46), Cundle (Trialist D 46), Andrews (J Leahy 64), Shakpoke, Evans (Ufuah 71).

Subs (not used): Huk, Wilhelm.

Booked: Shakpoke 55 (dissent), Sinai 57 (foul)

Goal: Evans 63

(Photos: Kieran North)