Boxing Day misery for Welling United as Charlton loanee scores decisive goal for Dartford

BY MARK DOIG

Richard Chin, on loan from Charlton Athletic, scored the only goal as Dartford claimed the festive season derby honours at Welling United on Boxing Day.

For the third game in a row the Wings finished empty handed while failing to score, and now find themselves eight points adrift of the National League South safety zone. Dartford also came into the game on a bad run of form, having lost their two previous games, and both teams looked short of confidence.

Neither side created much in the first half, despite playing different styles of football. Welling played some good football until they got into the final third of the pitch where Dartford’s defenders won the headers and tackles. The visitors played the more direct football but striker George Alexander was often left isolated.

Former Bromley stalwart Luke Coulson shot over first time before Kain Adom had a couple of half chances for the Wings but couldn’t hit the target. Coulson then intercepted a sloppy pass out of defence but instead of squaring to Alexander, he went for goal himself but was well off target.

Jephte Tanga had a shot deflected over for the Wings and Anthony Grant scuffed a shot wide as the first half, just shaded by Welling, came to a close.

After the break, Alexander broke through and was thwarted by a brilliant tackle by TJ Bramble but shortly before the hour mark Dartford broke the deadlock, and not surprisingly, from a Welling error. Lachlan Byrd’s backward header did not have enough purchase to reach Welling goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook, Alexander burst on to it, and although Charles-Cook got down well to save, Chin was on hand to finish from close range.

Dominic Odusanya drew a good save out of Dartford goalkeeper Ryan Sandford with a thunderbolt that was tipped over the bar, then Adom shot wide of the far post.

Chin created another opportunity when making the most of a Welling defender slip by teeing up Coulson but he shot too close to Charles-Cook who saved.

Adom shot beyond the far post before Welling substitute Antony Papadopoulos went close with a near post shot that came back out off the upright. Fellow Welling replacement Enoch Muwonge had a shot blocked out to Cameron Green, before making another chance for himself which he pulled wide of the near post.

Papadopoulos had one last effort from 25 yards that was saved by Sandford deep into injury time.

On Saturday, the two teams meet again in the reverse fixture that has become a must-win match for the Wings.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN