Welling United exit FA Trophy as underwhelming start to the season continues
BY MARK DOIG
Welling’s disappointing start to the season continued with an 2-0 FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Oxford City last night.
In their last game in front of spectators for the foreseeable future they put in plenty of effort but struggled to break down their well organised visitors and again conceded from a set play.
After Crystal Palace loanee Lewis Hobbs made a good block from Elliott Benyon, Oxford should have gone ahead when, from a corner, Joe Oastler had time to control the delivery but then blasted over.
Joe Ashby drew a save out of Reise Charles-Cook before Welling had their first chance when Lionel Ainsworth received a pass from Matt Everitt and turned and shot but Ben Dudzinski saved well.
Dudzinski made another low stop, this time from Everitt, after Chiori Johnson’s cross caused problems, then a half cleared corner came out to Bradley Ryan but his first time effort flew just over.
Six minutes before half time, the visitors went ahead. Nana Owusu cut in from the left and caressed his shot into the bottom corner. He might have scored again before half time with an accurate free kick but for Charles-Cook’s excellent diving save.
Despite Welling having a couple of half chances after the break, with Dipo Akinyemi heading harmlessly wide and Ryan trying his luck from thirty-five yards, Owusu scored his and Oxford’s second in a manner only too familiar to the Wings’ supporters. Pablo Martinez delivered a corner, the defence didn’t deal with it, and it fell into the path of Owusu who finished gleefully.
Although there was still over thirty minutes remaining, Oxford contained Welling with relative ease and only a late Kareem Isiaka glancing header required the attention of Dudzinski and he saved well to maintain his clean sheet.
Bradley Quinton’s team now has another inactive Saturday before they start their difficult Christmas programme when entertaining Havant and Waterlooville next Tuesday.
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