Welling United 1 Kidderminster Harriers 2
Published: 07:02, 09 September 2013
Welling's long unbeaten home record came to an end on Saturday when last season's runners-up, Kidderminster, showed their class at Park View Road.
For the first time this season, the Wings were second-best in all departments and even a late rally could not preserve a home run that stretched back for 17 months since they last lost a league game at Park View Road.
Ruthless Kidderminster took a 10th-minute lead when Blaine Hudson, Fraser Franks and Jake Gallagher all failed to clear and James Dance drilled home from inside the penalty area.
It was 2-0 on 26 minutes when a brilliant breakaway saw right-back Lee Vaughan set up the unmarked Dance for a far-post header that he simply couldn't miss.
Despite looking off the pace, Welling were not without their chances, however. But the clinical touch demanded by manager Jamie Day in his programme notes was not forthcoming.
In between the goals, Alex Dyer shot just wide and then skipper Lee Clarke blazed over after clever work by Joe Healy.
Kidderminster continued to control the game, led the impressive Lee Fowler in midfield. The ball seemed attached to his foot with string at times and he nearly capped his day off with a 50-yard chip that keeper Lee Butcher did well to keep out.
Welling used all three substitutes by just after the hour mark, with Malik Ouani setting up Ross Lafayette, who turned the ball wide under pressure at the near post.
Lafayette then had penalty appeals turned down when Josh Gowling - one of two former Gillingham players in Kidderminster's line-up along with Danny Jackman - appeared to pull him to the ground. Then, another substitute, Kurtis Guthrie's long run took him past four players but his 20-yard shot went over.
It was the third substitute who finally found the net when a passing move which started from a goal kick saw Lafayette chest down Franks' ball forward and Loui Fazakerley blasted home with his left foot from inside the area.
Welling pushed forward in search of a late equaliser but Guthrie headed straight at keeper Nathan Vaughan, who then had to tip his cross over the bar.
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Matthew Panting