Canvey Island welcomed Conference South outfit Welling United to the Brockwell Stadium this afternoon in what was to be a real challenge for the Gulls after the novelty of playing Bradford City and FC Twente.

Welling had an early opportunity squandered on 12 minutes after Jack Obersteller’s cross from the left was headed narrowly wide by Loui Fazackerly.

Three minutes later and Canvey’s Danny Heale flicked a throw-in forward that fell to James Rowe, but Rowe smashed his effort over the cross-bar.

On 17 minutes Andy Pugh squared the ball to Joe Healy, who rifled the ball well over from close range.

With 21 minutes gone a long-range effort by Welling’s Lee Clarke had the sting taken out of it via a deflection, but the ball fell to Andy Pugh who put the ball wide of James Russell’s near post.

Canvey were forced into an early substitution on 24 minutes; Steve Ward looked to have taken a knock and was replaced by Robbie King much to Ward’s frustration.

Half an hour into the game and free-kick on the right from Obersteller is direct towards goal, but Russell’s reflexes tipped the ball over the crossbar. The resulting corner was cleared from Canvey’s penalty area where it fell to James Rowe. Rowe ran from the edge of his own area central to goal and made the ‘Keeper work from twelve yards.

Canvey broke the deadlock on 39 minutes; James Rowe received the ball out on the right touchline and made a run for the corner-flag. Rowe’s pin-point cross was centred to Danny Heale who headed the ball past John Whitehouse.

Welling equalised with 20 seconds to go until half-time as Joe Healy sent in a cross from the right of Canvey’s penalty area, onto the head of Andy Pugh at the far-post, Pugh responded by putting the ball past James Russell.

Half-Time: Canvey Island 1 - 1 Welling United

For Welling, Jordan Johnson replaced Jack Obersteller, Anthony Ackempone replaced Jamie Coyle and Loick Pires replaced Joe Healy at half-time.

On 51 minutes James Rowe made another great run down the right, beating his man before squaring the ball to Danny Heale. Heale came inches short of making enough contact with the ball to send it into the goal and the ball continued to roll wide. The ball was returned the edge of the Canvey penalty area with Jon Edwards, but he was clearly obstructed from getting any further to the ball with appeals for a penalty being waved away by Stuart Franklin.

Welling made further substitutions on 53 minutes; Luis Cumbers replacing Andy Pugh and Ben Billings replacing Tommy Whitnell.

The very pacy Loui Fazackerly flashed an effort wide of goal on 58 minutes, with no other players making contact at the far post.

Welling took the lead on 62 minutes as Loick Pires sent a cross from the edge of the penalty area towards the far post, onto Luis Cumbers who poked the ball home between Russell and the post.

Canvey made substitutions of their own on 67 minutes; Matt Game was replaced by Greg Cohen.

Up till now although Welling had the more shots at goal, there wasn’t much separating the two teams as both sides capitalised on individual errors. However Welling’s fitness and flair decided the final twenty minutes, stepping up their game, particularly from their substitutes.

One such substitute, Ackempone delivered a deep cross from the right side of the half-way line that landed in front of Luis Cumbers who lobbed James Russell from just inside the penalty area.

Ackempone was involved with Welling’s fourth goal two minutes later as he made a run down the right before centring the ball to Loick Pires. Pires’ first touch wasn’t brilliant, but his recovery was and he swivelled on the spot before connecting with the loose ball and prodding it into the far corner.

Canvey made further substitutions immediately after with Ben Britnell replacing Kevin Dobinson and on 82 minutes they made a double substitution with Ashley Dumas being replaced by Remi Sutton and Frank Everett being replaced by Jamie Matthews. Canvey followed that up with a triple substitution a minute later; Chris Moore was replaced by Craig Davidson, Jon Edwards was replaced by Stuart Batch and Jay Curran was replaced by Ellis Skidmore.

Ben Billings beat James Russell to the ball on 85 minutes; however he was unlucky in that his effort beat Russell but not the woodwork to deny Welling a fifth.

Full-Time: Canvey Island 1 - 4 Welling United