Park View Road woes for Welling United as latest setback leaves them perched just above National League South dangerzone

BY MARK DOIG

Troubled Welling United suffered a 1-0 defeat against Concord Rangers in another disappointing outing at Park View Road on Saturday.

The Wings have not won at home since New Year’s Day and have scored just one goal in their last six league matches. They are now in 16th place in the National League South and only six points clear of the relegation zone. It was just Concord’s fourth away win of the season but enough to take them off the foot of the table.

Warren Feeney’s team had seemed well in control for the first 45 minutes and missed two excellent opportunities to go in ahead at the break. However, it all unravelled in the first two minutes of the second period when they went behind and were reduced to 10 men. After that, too many of their players went missing and they rarely looked like getting back into the game.

Beachboys goalkeeper Mitch Beeney made the first save of the match, thwarting Amadou Kassarate at the near post, before Stefan Payne shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Sam Cox had a shot blocked into the path of Kassarate, 10 yards out, but he blasted over. Ade Azeez headed wide from a Taylor Maloney cross.

Quentin Monville had a shot saved low by Myles Roberts at the end of a rare Concord foray before Welling had another big chance just before half-time. Chi Ezennolim crossed and Azeez headed down into the path of Maloney, who hooked it wide from close range.

Less than a minute was on the clock in the second half when Concord stung the Wings. A miscommunication in midfield allowed Alex Hernandez to nick it away and send Mo Bettamer clear. The one time Welling striker wasted no time with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area that gave Roberts no chance.

Ben Steward, on debut, shot just wide, and moments later the Wings were reduced to ten men. Cox dived in on a challenge and was shown a second yellow card.

After that, Welling rarely looked threatening while the visitors were content to hold on to what they had while trying to catch the Wings on the break. Lewis Manor headed wide from a Steward corner then Aron Pollock’s free header floated into Roberts’ arms.

Payne cut in from the left but sliced his shot wide before Hernandez went on a long run on the counter-attack from a Welling corne, his shot drew a diving one-handed save out of Roberts.

Ben Williamson shot well wide at the end of another break and Welling didn’t threaten again until stoppage time. Payne’s first shot was blocked wide by Jack Thomas for a corner. He had another opportunity from a similar position but his shot hit Beeney, who fell on it before it got away.

Welling play another team in the bottom four when they visit Weymouth on Saturday.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Richard Dunne and Mo Bettamer challenge for the ball