Kyrell Lisbie bags a brace as Welling beat Hampton and Richmond Borough 3-0

BY MARK DOIG

Kyrell Lisbie scored his first goals at Vanarama National League South level as Welling United defeated Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Lisbie, son of former Charlton Athletic legend Kevin, notched a brace in a game between two clubs destined for mid-table. As a result, both managers used fringe players and under 23s, and Welling manager Warren Feeney also experimented with positions. His team started with Antony Papadopoulos and Chi Ezennolim at full-back and Sam Cox and Manny Parry in front of goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle.

Debutants Sam Bayford and Abel Vendrells-Parcerisa played further forward and Tom Mumford came on for his first-team bow in the second period.

Both goalkeepers were in action early on, McKenzie-Lyle saving Daniel Rowe’s low free kick, and Endurance Johnson blocking spectacularly from Bayford. The young debutant came close again when his shot was deflected wide after Lisbie’s initial effort was blocked out to him.

Impressive Cameron Andrews was off target with a first-time effort and Vendrells-Parcerisa was also unable to trouble Johnson when firing over just before half-time.

After the interval, playing down the slope, and encouraged by their supporters who were enjoying Welling’s passing football, the Wings upped the pace. Bayford was very unlucky not to notch a debut goal when his chip came back off the post but the crowd did not have to wait much longer for the opening goal. A quick corner improved the angle for Chi Ezennolim, and when the Welling player of the year picked out Lisbie at the far post, the youngster headed home from close range.

Although Shane Dunne flicked a header wide for Hampton, Welling continued to press and Andrews was thwarted by an excellent Johnson save.

Fifteen minutes remained when Warren Feeney looked to make a double change. However, while regular penalty takers Taylor Maloney, and Christie Pattisson, waited to enter the field of play, Lisbie was tumbled just inside the penalty area. Dan Nkrumah, one of the players due to be replaced, took full advantage by firing home emphatically from the spot.

Bizarrely, Hampton were then awarded a penalty when Cox and Adrian Clifton had a coming together a long way from the ball but McKenzie-Lyle added to his number of saved penalties this season when beating out Ruaridh Donaldson’s effort.

Five minutes remained when Welling added a third. Pattisson burst down the right and Johnson could only block his fearsome drive into the path of Lisbie who made no mistake when firing home.

On Saturday, Welling bring down the curtain on their campaign at Havant and Waterlooville with Feeney having selection decisions to make on whether his regular first-team players come back in or to give his youngsters another opportunity.

PICTURES: MICHAEL BROWN