Champions prove too strong for Wings

Welling United 1 Luton Town 2
Mark CullenMark Cullen
Mark Cullen

Hatters showcased just why they are champions of the Skrill Premier with a professional victory over Welling this afternoon.

Goals from Mark Cullen and Andre Gray were enough for Town who as they have done all season, found a way to wrest the three points away from their hosts, despite a late goal from Ross Lafayette.

Striker Alex Wall made his first league start of the season for Town as he was rewarded for a fine loan spell with Dartford and scoring twice against Crystal Palace in a development game.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Andre Gray both came back in as Jake Howells, Paul Benson and Alex Lawless all missed out, while Scott Griffiths made his 50th appearance for the club.

After being afforded a guard of honour from the home side, Wall had the first effort of a note, forcing Lee Butcher into a sliding clearance and then heading straight at the keeper.

Wings settled down to play some decent football though as Ross Lafayette’s cross was volleyed into Mark Tyler’s gloves by centre half Quade Taylor.

The hosts then broke incisively again as Loui Fazakerley overlapped to good effect only to see his cross cleared away by former Wings defender Fraser Franks.

Oluwatobi Sho-Silva also had a presentable opportunity on 18 minutes, but after leaping well, directed his header well, well wide.

A free kick gave Wall the chance to wind up his considerable power, as hhe slammed the set-piece into the wall and then half volleyed the rebound well over.

Cullen was also off target, but his and Gray’s partership looked like it was the most likely source of a goal, as a number of moves were just cut out by the home defence.

However, there was no stopping the duo on 28 minutes when Gray cleverly sent Cullen through and he waited for Butcher to commit himself before finding the net for his ninth of the campaign.

After the break, Fazakerley sent a tame shot at Tyler, before Luton started to ring the changes as Alex Lacey and Andy Parry were introduced for Steve McNulty and Ronnie Henry.

McGeehan’s ball through saw Gray hand off his marker but then shank horribly wide of the goal.

Cullen thought he had a second too with a close range instinctive volley from Wall’s flick, only for Butcher to produce a tremendous reflex save to turn the ball away.

The keeper, who had been Wings’ star performer during the 2-1 FA Cup win over Town earlier in the season, then stuck out a foot to deny Gray as Hatters pressed hard for another.

Town made their last change with Shaw replacing Wall, while Town finally had a second on 73 minutes when Gray showed great strength to outmuscle Fazakerley to reach Robinson’s punt forward.

After holding his man off, he coolly finished underneath Butcher for goal number 28 of the campaign to move level with Halifax’s Lee Gregory once more in the race for the golden boot.

Wings pulled a goal back on 80 minutes when Lafayette picked up a rebound just inside the box and curled a delightful effort into the top corner, leaving Tyler rooted to the spot.

The striker, who had again impressed, was almost in for a second too, but Tyler smuggled the danger away and he then made a sprawling low stop from Joe Healy.

Despite some spirited late pressure, Town held on to the delight of the 2,000 Hatters fans, who gave their heroes a tremendous ovation the final whistle, with a good natured pitch invasion into the players’ huddle.

After joining the players on their lap of honour, a good 500 or more camped outside the tunnel, going through their full repertoire of songs, even being led by managing director Gary Sweet at one point, as the promotion party shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

Wings: Lee Butcher, Loui Fazakerley, Jake Gallagher, Tom Bender, Ross Lafayette (C), Blaine Hudson, Harry Beautyman, Josh Wakefield (Toby Ajala 69) Joe Healy, Oluwatobi Sho-Silva (Malik Ouani 70), Quade Taylor (Jack Obersteller 35).

Subs not used: Jamie Turner, Jamie Day.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Ronnie Henry (Andy Parry 55), Scott Griffiths, Fraser Franks, Steve McNulty (Alex Lacey 50), Cameron McGeehan, Matt Robinson, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Andre Gray, Mark Cullen, Alex Wall (Jon Shaw 68)

Subs not used: Luke Rooney, Elliot Justham.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Bookings: Loui Fazakerley 53, Cameron McGeeham 86.

Attendance: 2,650 (2,000 Hatters).

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