Welling United slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chatham Town at Park View Road on Saturday.
A competitive first half saw the Chats enjoy most of the possession, but they could not break down a resilient Welling backline.
Kasim Aidoo came close for the visitors when his angled effort deflected narrowly wide and they were handed a golden opportunity to go ahead from the penalty spot after Kian Moynes was pushed in the box by debutant Olu Oluwatimilehin. Moynes dusted himself off to take the spot-kick himself, only for Freddie Norman to throw himself to his left to keep it out of the bottom corner and keep the score at 0-0 – the keeper’s second consecutive penalty save in recent weeks.
Chatham did break the Wings’ resolve early in the second half, however. After an initial effort came back off the crossbar, it fell nicely to Tope Fadahunsi, who was on hand to finish from close range to put the away side in front.
Welling huffed and puffed, but could not produce the killer opportunity to get themselves back into the game.
John Ufuah came closest with a shot just wide from the edge of the box, while Ben Allen missed a glorious chance to wrap up victory for Chatham at the other end when he blazed over from close range.
But the single goal was enough for the Chats to claim the points, while the Wings will lick their wounds after a seventh consecutive league defeat.
Maxwell’s men will go again when they host Cheshunt in DA16 on Saturday.
Welling United: Norman, Savane, Majoyegbe, Arthur, Walker, Reynolds, Ebuzoeme (Addy 74), Oluwatimilehin, Thomas, Paxman, Ufuah.
Subs (not used): Simmons, Williams-Bushell, Apat, Currie.
Booked: Savane 45+3 (delaying restart), Norman 90+5 (foul on Fadahunsi)
Chatham Town: Molyneux, Evans, Aidoo, Robins, Butler, Nelson, Moynes, Sene-Richardson, Leatherrs, Fadahunsi, Anokye-Boadi.
Subs: Garlinge, Cooper, Chambersm Giles, Allen.
Booked: Evans 42 (foul on Ufuah), Aidoo 45+4 (foul on Ufuah)
Goal: Fadahunsi 52
Referee: Craig Wood
Att: 674
Photos: Chris Zimmerman & Kieran North
