Hopes of building on a well earned point three days earlier were dashed for Welling United when they fell to a Vanarama National League South defeat at Tonbridge Angels.
2025 has been particularly difficult for the Wings. As their February fixtures drew to a close, twelve matches yielded just two victories, two draws and no clean sheets. The loss at Tonbridge took their current run to six games without a win in which they scored just one goal in the last four.
They started brightly at Tonbridge with Scott Kashket looking lively. He fired just over before coming closer when his well struck drive was saved brilliantly by Matt Rowley who tipped it onto the bar and over.
Jayden Davis then had a shot deflected just over before Tonbridge took over. Gianluca Botti broke through but was halted by a brilliant tackle by Sam Cornish before he again got clear but sliced his shot wide of the near post.
Botti had a further chance when he headed wide before the hosts opened the scoring. Ethan Sutcliffe was tripped by Riccardo Di Trolio in the penalty area and Liam Vincent stepped up and fired home.
Jamie Fielding headed wide for Tonbridge before Di Trolio did likewise at the other end. Then Sonny Nelson fired just over for the Angels before the first half ended.
Sean Shields had the first opportunity of the second period for the hosts with a low drive that Rhys Lovett saved brilliantly before they went two up. Botti evaded his marker and made the most of his freedom with a header that flew home giving Lovett no chance.
Rod Stringer made his first substitution shortly afterwards before bringing on his other four changes allowed nine minutes later. One of the replacements, Sahid Kamara had a long range shot saved by Rowley, then another, Martell Taylor-Crossdale went just wide with a free kick.
However, that was as close as the Wings were to come and Tonbridge might have added a third but Bailey Akehurst slotted it past the post from close range.
Stringer will have to work quickly to find a way of resolving his team’s problems at each end if they are to remain in the league.
Welling United: Lovett, Quick, Di Trolio, Cornish (Statham 70), Burchell, Winfield, H. Walker (Bramble 61), Kelly, Moore (Redfearn 70), Kashket (Taylor-Crossdale 70), Davis (Kamara 70). Sub not used: None.
