Welling 2 Histon 4

THREE first-half goals put paid to any hopes that Welling had of ending high-flying Histon's perfect start to the season.

The Wings fell behind after just 16 seconds. Joe Vines and Matt Bodkin were caught napping and when Jamie Barker's cross was parried to Robbie Nightingale, the midfielder made no mistake at the second attempt.

It got worse on 16 minutes when Adrian Cambridge's corner invitingly for Barker to prod home with the Wings defence standing motionless.

Welling keeper Jamie Turner flapped at Ian Cambridge's cross-shot five minutes before half-time to hand Barker his second of the evening and manager Adrian Pennock immediately opted for a double substitution with Leon Solomon making his first bow of the season from the bench.

Not helped by overzealous referee J Comley, who liked the sound of his own whistle and struggled to control what should have been an entertaining game, decisions went against the Wings at regular intervals.

However, supported by an appreciative home support, aware that Pennock's youngsters within the squad will take time to adjust to Conference South football, Welling displayed plenty of character after the break.

Des Boateng and Che Stadhart both went close before Welling pulled one back on 62 minutes. Jamie Day's free-kick came back off the crossbar for Vines to rifle home from just inside the area.

Appeals for a penalty by Danny Kedwell were waved away by the referee, whose spent more time talking to players and shouting back at spectators than getting the game's major decisions correct.

With 13 minutes left, Histon wrapped the game up when Adrian Cambridge's long-range drive took a wicked deflection past Turner.

At the other end, Andrew Sam saw his chip turned aside and Steve Perkins' header was cleared off the line.

Vines headed in another following Day's free-kick and 60 second later Kedwell headed over when it seemed easier to score but Welling had left themselves too much to do.

Welling: Turner, Vines, Guest, Boateng, Moore (Solomon 43mins), Perkins, Bodkin (Green 43mins), Kedwell, Stadhart, Benjamin (Sam 69mins), Day. Subs not used: Lovell, Hyde.

Attendance: 559.