Welling scored three goals for a fourth successive Blue Square Bet South game to move up to second on Boxing Day.

Forward Kiernan Hughes-Mason continued his rich vein of form with a goal in either half while Loui Fazakerley, pictured, claimed a late header to wrap up the points.

Referee Lloyd Wood was at the centre of the home side’s frustrations from the moment he booked Frankie Curley for a late challenge on Fazakerley as early as the second minute.

The referee then booked three players – including Fazakerley for diving – all inside the first 20 minutes.

On a bobbly pitch, which was under water 24 hours earlier, attractive football proved difficult but Welling went ahead on 34 minutes as Joe Healy fed Hughes-Mason, who found the far corner.

Hornchurch’s task was made harder on the stroke of half-time when Lewis Smith – one of the three players booked for diving earlier in the half – foolishly went in late on Anthony Acheampong and was correctly shown a second yellow card.

Welling doubled their lead 11 minutes into the second half when Fraser Franks fed Hughes-Mason who ran from the halfway line and turned Duran Reynolds inside out before producing an excellent finish into the far corner.

Jack Obersteller’s left-wing cross was headed in by Fazakerley with 18 minutes left and it could have been even better for the Wings. Substitute Jon Main’s diving header went straight to keeper Joe Woolley while Lee Clarke wasted two good openings.

Hornchurch’s best chance fell to substitute Rimmel Daniel but he blazed over after keeper Sam Mott failed to hold on.