Welling United earn vital win at Hungerford Town

BY MARK DOIG

Having twice conceded last-gasp equalisers in the previous eight days, Welling United escaped it happening again by the breadth of the bar in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Hungerford Town.

At home to Havant & Waterlooville, one week earlier, they were left frustrated by an undeserved leveller in the 96th minute, then in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final on Tuesday, Dartford converted a spot-kick with the last kick of the game before going on to win on penalties.

This time around, Hungerford came close to an equaliser when goalkeeper Luke Cairney had not fully retreated having gone up for a free-kick and his shot from 30 yards had Coniah Boyce-Clarke beaten but it flew back off the crossbar.

After their previous poor fortune, Welling will consider they were due a break and despite their struggles in the second half, especially, they went home with what could be a crucial three points.

Welling started in lively fashion and had half chances, but Bradley Stevenson and Dipo Akinyemi were both unable to test the keeper and it was Welling’s Boyce-Clarke who was first called into action when making a flying save from a Jake Evans shot.

Boyce-Clarke then created a route one chance when his long clearance was flicked on by Harvey Bradbury into the path of Akinyemi but the former Dulwich Hamlet striker’s effort was saved brilliantly by Luke Cairney.

James Rusby headed wide for the Crusaders and Stevenson fired over after good work by Ben Allen for Welling. Rusby created the last chance of the first half with a long throw that picked out Max Ram, but Boyce-Clarke made a stunning save to tip his header over.

The Welling goalkeeper made another save from Evans early in the second half before Hungerford went ahead. Ryan Seager fouled Ade Shokunbi to get to the byline but the referee wasn’t interested and allowed him to continue. Maxwell Statham hooked his cross out but it fell for Duane Ofori-Acheampong to fire home.

Ben Wells picked out Stevenson from a corner in a training ground move but his first time shot flew well over before Ram was again able to get his head onto a Rusby long throw but Boyce-Clarke again made the save.

George Smith fired over with a first time effort for Hungerford before Welling levelled with nine minutes remaining. Chi Ezennolim played it forward to Stevenson, who switched it out to Akinyemi on the left wing. He cut in and went past three defenders before his powerful drive gave Cairney no chance.

In the last minute of regulation time, Welling went ahead. Tom Derry went up with Hungerford defender Andre Burley and it came off the centre-back’s head into the path of former Crystal Palace striker Alfie Matthews. He kept his composure to steer it beyond Cairney and inside the post.

Matthews blotted his copybook by earning a second yellow card and a dismissal before the late, late drama that would have made Cairney an internet sensation had his effort gone in.

It could prove to be a vital win for the Wings as their chances of staying in the National League South are still in their own hands.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN