Welling United 0 Aldershot Town 1
Ross Lafayette’s second-half penalty against his former side gave The Shots a victory their second-half resurgence deserved.
Aldershot Town should have taken the lead before Lafayette’s goal, but Charlie Walker, in particular, was thwarted by Wings keeper Marek Rodak as the visitors built upon a tight first-half to lay siege to the Welling goal after the break.
Lafayette was a constant thorn in The Wings’ side and won the 76th minute spot kick himself, as he reacted to Omar Beckles’ nod-down from Jim Stevenson’s free-kick, before driving the penalty down the middle past Rodak, who had previously made several fine saves.
But The Shots showed ample strength and spirit to earn a first ever victory at Park View Road and secure a seventh away win of the season – one more than the team managed in the whole of 2015-16.
Although winless since mid-October, Welling were combative and periodically dangerous opponents but an even opening period provided a fine platform for The Shots to lift their game in the second-half and, but for Rodak, the margin of victory would have been far greater.
WUFC: Rodak; Williams, Lokko, Kargbo, Chesman; Ferry, Harris, Nortey, Wanadio; Yusuff (Kabba 29), Adeloye (Daniel 79). Subs: McEntegart, Gayle, Vidal
ATFC: Smith; Alexander, Beckles, Oastler, McGinty; Ralph, Stevenson, Gallagher, Browne; C Walker (Pavey 56), Lafayette. Subs not used: Thomas, Saville, Hatton, D Walker
Att.: 704
