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Tonbridge scorer Frannie Collin holds off Welling defender Anthony Acheampong Picture: David Couldridge
By Matthew Panting
Welling came from two goals down to win an entertaining Blue Square Bet South Kent derby with Tonbridge on Tuesday night.
The Angels led 2-0 thanks to Frannie Collin's brace but Loick Pires, Andy Pugh and skipper Jack Parkinson also netted as the Wings staged an excellent comeback.
Lee Clarke headed over from close-range for Welling before Collin expertly drilled in from 25 yards to give Tonbridge a sixth-minute lead.
Welling responded and Joe Healy and Clarke were both denied by excellent keeper Lee Worgan before a brilliant last-ditch challenge from John Heath stopped Luis Cumbers having a tap-in at the far post.
The home side played some of their best football so far this season but Tonbridge defended stoutly and looked dangerous on the few times they went forward.
In fact, Tonbridge doubled their lead seven minutes before half-time when keeper Dan Thomas could only parry a cross-shot and Collin forced the loose ball home.
Welling got back into the game in first-half injury time when Loui Fazakerley's free-kick was eventually headed in by Pires after Tonbridge failed to clear.
Playing down the slope after the break, Welling continued to press. Clarke volleyed over from close range before Healy was sent clear but denied by the legs of Worgan.
The pressure finally told with 20 minutes left when an unfortunate slip by the otherwise impressive Ben Andrews let in Pugh, who needed no second invitation to score his fifth goal of the season.
From then on, there was only going to be one winner. Four minutes later, a deep Fazakerley corner was met by Pires, who initially claimed the goal. But it was later credited to Parkinson, who appeared to get the final touch.
Cumbers failed to add a fourth late on while Tonbridge, for all their endeavour, were left with nothing to take from the game as they failed to create a worthwhile chance in the closing stages.