Aransibia spot-kick earns Welling victory over Hungerford Town

BY MARK DOIG

Devonte Aransibia came off the bench to score the penalty that enabled Welling United to beat a stubborn Hungerford Town.

After recent disappointing results Welling were in danger of dropping into the bottom half of the National League South table for the first time since the third match of the season.

Although Hungerford had won just twice this season, only Havant & Waterlooville and Dartford have beaten them by more than the odd goal – so Wings boss Warren Feeney knew his team would have to be on top of their game and remain patient.

They looked as though their recent winless streak had dented their confidence as they struggled to find cohesion until creating chances late in the first half. By that stage Kai McKenzie-Lyle had made a crucial save to deny Welling old boy Ben Allen with a full length save.

However, Welling managed to increase the tempo with half-time approaching and Ade Azeez twice came close. First, he hooked over from a Manny Parry flick on, and then he could not keep his header down when Tom Dickens nodded a Yaser Kasim deep cross back across the goal.

After the interval, former Millwall youngster Chi Ezennolim was able to get forward more and he gave Curtis Angell a torrid time down the left wing. In the opening minutes of the second half, he skipped past him only for a combination of goalkeeper Tyla Dickinson and the near post kept it out.

Azeez was brought down on the edge of the penalty area, but Taylor Maloney’s free-kick thudded back off the defensive wall before Aransibia was introduced just shy of the hour mark.

Within four minutes, the deadlock was broken. Ezennolim combined with Antony Papadopoulos before bursting into the penalty area where Allen brought him down. Aransibia stepped up and blasted an unstoppable spot-kick home.

Once the shackles were off only Dickinson stood between Welling and a much bigger margin. Papadopoulos showed the desire and skill to create space to find Aransibia. He squared to Ezennolim whose shot was beaten out by the Hungerford goalkeeper who then recovered quickly to deny Azeez on the follow up.

Ezennolim had a shot cleared off the line before he crossed for Papadopoulos who was thwarted by a stunning reaction save by Dickinson. The Crusaders’ custodian tipped over a free-kick from Kasim shortly after.

Even though Amadou Kassarate was dismissed for a tackle deemed to be out of control, Welling continued to strive for another goal. Eighteen year-old Cameron Andrews came on to make his league debut off the bench and almost scored but for a great save and Dickinson made one more excellent save deep into injury time to keep Azeez off the scoresheet.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Chi Ezennolim beats his opposite number Curtis Angell