Wings boss sent off as Maloney penalty earns point at Hampton & Richmond

BY MARK DOIG

Taylor Maloney’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by Tommy Block’s as Welling United claimed a 1-1 draw at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Although that was the third consecutive Welling draw, it extended their unbeaten league record to six matches and one defeat in their last nine games, enabling them to maintain their place in the National League play-off zone.

Despite travel difficulties, Welling supporters turned up in good numbers. However, the delivery of the kit was held up, so the Wings used a set of white shirts and orange shorts provided by their hosts.

They came out sharply and after Amadou Kassarate had a shot saved comfortably, Devonte Aransibia sent a free-kick over the defensive wall but fractionally wide of the far post.

Myles Roberts showed the importance of keeping concentration when most of the play was at the other end when tipping over a Block cross that might have dipped in before Ade Azeez came close when getting in behind and trying to volley it past the onrushing Joe Walsh, but the goalkeeper reacted well to stretch and turn it wide of the post.

Midway through the first half, Welling went ahead. Azeez again proved too hot to handle, Ruaridh Donaldson brought him down as he shaped to shoot, and the referee pointed to the spot. Maloney took on the responsibility after Welling had missed their last two, and he fired home confidently.

Aransibia might have added a second when his shot deflected off a Welling striker and missed the far post by inches before they had a big claim for another spot-kick when Maloney appeared to have been hauled down in the area.

Against the run of play, it looked as though Hampton had levelled when Jake Gray’s fierce drive came back off the underside of the crossbar after Roberts had got the slightest of touches on it.

After the interval, Hampton came out quickly and won a penalty of their own when Aaron Barnes was adjudged to have fouled Liam Vincent. Block stepped up and converted emphatically.

Vincent’s volley went close before he struck a free kick that was well claimed by Roberts. Tommy Wood headed wide from Block’s cross then Gray shot just wide of the far post.

However, the hosts tired and Welling looked the more dangerous from set-plays in the last 20 minutes. Maloney sent over a corner that Taofiq Olomowewe headed wide and another fatigued tackle by Vincent earned him a yellow card, and a free-kick for Welling. Maloney delivered but Manny Parry could not find the target with his header.

There was no further scoring but there was another incident when Welling manager Warren Feeney was dismissed in the final minute.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Stefan Payne fires in a shot