Welling made it nine successive wins with a comprehensive victory over AFC Hornchurch in Blue Square Bet South on New Year’s Day.

Defender Anthony Acheampong, pictured, scored twice as the Wings completed a festive double and kept the pressure on leaders Salisbury.

On the back of a 3-0 Boxing Day victory over Hornchurch, Welling raced into a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. Jack Obersteller’s free-kick was eventually turned in by Acheampong from close range after keeper Joe Woolley’s initial save.

Then, four minutes later, Joe Healy won the ball back on the edge of the Hornchurch penalty area and picked out Jake Gallagher who slotted home his third goal of the season.

Lewis Smith looked lively up front for the visitors but any hopes they had ended four minutes before the break. Woolley’s brilliant double save was not rewarded when, from the resulting corner, Acheampong headed in Loui Fazakerley’s deep cross.

Substitute Lee Clarke and Kiernan Hughes-Mason both went close to extending the lead early in the second half, but the Wings had to wait until the 67th minute for their fourth goal when a flowing move saw Obersteller cross from the left and Clarke arrive to plant a trademark header beyond Woolley.

Ross Lafayette shot just wide from the edge of the box as Welling threatened to run riot while they kept Hornchurch out at the other end to record a fourth straight clean sheet.