Welling United 0
Concord Rangers 1
Concord Rangers moved off the foot of the table as an early second half strike from Mo Bettamer secured the Beach Boys a vital three points in a 1-0 win over ten men Welling United.
The first half at Park View Road was pretty quiet on both fronts with Welling's Myles Roberts and Concord's Mitchell Beeney both making routine saves.
After 21 minutes former Beach Boy Taylor Maloney played a nicely disguised ball to the by-line for Amadou Kassarate, and the former Senegal Under 20 international let fly from an acute angle forcing Beeney to beat his effort behind for a corner.
On the stroke of half time Watford loanee Roberts was called into action following a well executed counter attack from Concord. Alex Hernandez played a defence splitting pass across the pitch to Quentin Monville, the new signing from Potters Bar cut inside and saw his effort smothered by Roberts to ensure the game was goalless at half time.
The opening 45 may have been pretty quiet in Kent but the second half was far from that as the game sprung into life and by the 50th minute Concord were 1-0 up and Welling were down to ten men.
Less than a minute into the second period former Welling striker Bettamer was released in behind and the Libyan haunted his former club by lashing the ball beyond Roberts for his ninth goal of the campaign.
Two minutes later and Concord's chances of picking up their second win of the year were increased further when the hosts were reduced to ten men. Sam Cox had been booked in the first half for shoving over Hernandez, and with 48 minutes on the clock the Guyanan was forced to take an early bath following another rash challenge on Hernandez that left referee Steven Hughes with no choice but to give Cox his marching orders. This was the tenth red card that the Wings have picked up so far this term - the most in the Vanarama National League South.
With just over 20 minutes left to play Concord almost made this man advantage count with Roberts having to make a fine save to prevent the Beach Boys doubling their lead. Jack Thomas released Hernandez down the left hand side and the 20 year old burst forward before cutting inside and curling an effort towards the top corner. However former Concord keeper Roberts was equal to the strike making a crucial diving save.
As the game ticked into the final stages both Lewis Manor and Thomas had to make last-ditch tackles and blocks to keep Concord's lead intact and Beeney was made to save a scuffed half volley from Stefan Payne.
Rob Small's men stood strong and were able to hold on to pick up their second win of 2023 as the Beach Boys keep up their impressive recent record against the Wings with Rangers losing just one of their past seven meetings with Welling. A dogged defensive performance also ensured Concord were able to pick up their first league clean sheet in 11 games.
Meanwhile for Welling their dismal run of form continues with Warren Feeney's outfit picking up just one win in their last ten games with the Wings now winless in their past six games. A clean sheet for Concord also means that Welling have now failed to score in their past four matches.
Next up for Small's side is back-to-back home games against sides in the playoffs. On Tuesday night it's an Essex derby as Chelmsford City make the trip to Canvey before Dartford come to the Aspect Arena next Saturday.
Welling United: Roberts, Ezennolim, Cox, Lyons-Foster, Azeez (Alexander 59'), Payne, Kassarate, Dunne, Sendles-White, Barnes (Parry 73'), Maloney (Papadopoulos 59')
Red cards: Cox 50'
Concord Rangers: Beeney, Popo, Thomas, Pollock, Monville, Bettamer, Kyei (Modeste 75'), Steward, Manor, Hudson, Hernandez (Williamson 69')
Goals: Bettamer 46'
By Nathan Williams
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