Welling United produce second-half goal blitz to beat Hemel Hempstead Town

BY MARK DOIG

Three goals in a six-minute spell early in the second half turned the game on its head as Welling United claimed a 3-2 victory at Hemel Hempstead Town.

Quite how they went in at the break two goals behind will be a question that manager Warren Feeney will be pondering as they controlled large parts of the first half. Then, having turned the tables, they had a man sent off and had to play the last 25 minutes with 10 men. However, their fitness, quality, and desire saw them through with few alarms.

They couldn’t have got off to a much worse start, going behind in the second minute. Ogo Obi was given too much room and his shot came back off the post, but straight into the path of Josh Castiglione, who shot into the empty net.

Clearly shaken, the Wings might have gone two down moments later when a swift Hemel attack allowed Obi to get free at the far post only for him to sky his shot over.

After that, Welling regained their composure and started to dominate. Taylor Maloney had a shot well saved by Craig King then Ade Azeez had an effort deflected wide for a corner. Maloney again came close when a free-kick clipped the defensive wall but shaved the bar as it landed on the roof of the net.

Ashley Nzala caused problems with his pace down the right and from one pull back both Tyrique Hyde and Maloney had shots blocked by defenders who threw their bodies into the line of fire.

Azeez came close again, and it was against the run of play when the hosts went two up in first-half stoppage time. Obi cut in from the right wing and was felled by Taofiq Olomowewe in the penalty area. Jordan Greenidge stepped up and sent Myles Roberts the wrong way to score.

Feeney made a double change at the break, and it soon paid dividends. Welling won a corner which was cleared at the expense of another one. Referee Reubyn Ricardo had spotted some pulling at the first one and spoke to the Hemel defenders before Maloney could deliver again. When he did cross, Joshua Lelan pulled back Olomowewe right in front of the official and he pointed to the spot, cautioning the defender either for the offence, or for arguing. Stefan Payne waited patiently before dispatching confidently.

Four minutes later Welling levelled when Rob Howard crossed, Payne knocked it back, and substitute Anthony Papadopoulos scored with a composed finish. The turnaround was completed one minute later when Maloney’s near post cross was flicked home by Payne.

Dara Dada forced a save out of Roberts before Welling were reduced to 10 men. Olomowewe made a rash challenge on Greenidge on the left touchline and could have few complaints when shown the red card.

Although having to dig in, having two full-backs who could play at centre-back helped Welling to nullify the increased ariel threat of Greenidge, and Roberts was rarely troubled in the Wings goal. Lelan and Craig Fasanmade were both off target before Welling had an opportunity when Azeez turned his former Dartford team-mate Kory Roberts, but his near post shot drew a good save out of King.

Deep into injury time the Tudors had one last chance, but Alfie Williams’ shot was saved by a determined Roberts.

There is no midweek action in the National League South ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend over which the clubs play two games in three days.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN