Welling United secured a vital three points with a 2-1 victory over Cheshunt at Park View Road on Saturday afternoon.
Ryan Maxwell celebrated his first win as Wings boss thanks to his side’s late push after Sonny Black’s first-half opener had been cancelled out by a Cheshunt penalty midway through the second half.
Troy Howard bagged in the 87th minute to get the hosts’ noses in front, before Femi Akinwande tapped home in injury-time to put the icing on top of a deserved win in DA16.
A quiet first half of action spring into life in the 34th minute when Ryan Maxwell’s men opened the scoring from the first real opportunity of the game.
A cross from the left was met by the head of Luke Allen, who couldn’t quite get enough on it to threaten the goal. Thankfully, it fell nicely to Black, who swivelled and found the bottom left-hand corner to register on his debut for the club.
Welling could, and perhaps should, have stretched their lead on the stroke of half-time when another debutant, Howard, broke free one-on-one in the box, but he was denied by a good save from visiting stopper Aymen Azaze.
Despite having offered little in front of goal, Cheshunt drew themselves level just after the hour mark after they were awarded a penalty when Lekan Majoyegbe tripped Isaac Okello in the box.
Sam Granville did the honours, stepping up to send the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1 from 12 yards.
Chances were certainly at a premium at both ends, but the Wings kept plugging away for that golden opportunity which would win them three points. Indeed, with 87 minutes on the clock, it came – and they took advantage.
With a ball in from the left working its way to Howard at the far post, he slammed it home from 10 yards to spark wild scenes of celebration at the park end.
It got even better for the hosts deep in injury-time when Akinwande added a third, but it was all down to the work of Howard.
The winger put on the afterburners to race forwards and beat Cheshunt’s keeper to the ball out wide on the right, before firing the ball towards goal.
Akinwande looked to usher the ball over the line, before forcing it over the line under pressure from a desperate defender.
The victory will spark hope for the Wings to turn their season around with life under Maxwell showing excellent early promise.
Welling will now turn their attention to the Velocity Cup on Tuesday evening as they head to Ramsgate.
Welling United: Browne, Savane, Majoyegbe, Arthur, Walker, Thomas, Black (Oluwatimilehin 74), Paxman (Akinwande 79), Allen (Reynolds 66),Howard (Addy 90+9), Ufuah.
Subs (not used): Currie.
Booked: Thomas 21 (foul), Savane 85 (foul)
Goals: Black 34, Howard 87, Akinwande 90+8
Cheshunt: Azaze, Akolbire, Romer, Iontton, Furlong, Wilson-Braithwaite, Effa, Granville, Smith-Kouassi, Fanimo, Kurran-Browne.
Subs: Turner, Okello, Vasilou, Rihefond, Chalwell.
Booked: Furlong 33
Goal: Granville 66 (pen)
Referee: Craig Charles
Att: 536
Photos: Peter Jozwiak
