FA Cup: Welling United suffer 1-0 defeat to Boreham Wood

BY MARK DOIG

Hopes of reaching the FA Cup first round were ended for Welling United with an one-goal defeat at National League Boreham Wood.

It was tough on the Wings when the former player Tyrone Marsh scored the decider with four minutes remaining to deprive them of the replay they deserved.

They had endured first-half injuries to Lewis White and goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom plus a host of eccentric officials decisions but had still created chances. However, the full-time team’s fitness told in the end and they ground out the win.

Another ex-Welling player, Jamal Fyfield, was extremely lucky to remain on the pitch when an off-the-ball offence on Tristan Abrahams was punished with a yellow card only.

Lee Ndlovu hit a first-time effort over for Boreham Wood then, at the other end, Antony Papadopoulos sent Abrahams away and his low angled shot beat Nathan Ashmore but also the far post.

On the half-hour mark, Welling were forced to make a change with Kain Adom replacing the injured White. Then, 11 minutes later, they had another change enforced on them. Marsh shot towards the far post and both Welling goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom and full-back Cameron Green converged on it. They collided with Green, kicking his team-mate in the head. After lengthy treatment it became clear that Winterbottom couldn’t continue and 19-year-old Javarn Pitterson replaced him.

Despite the handicaps, the Wings started the second half brightly and Adom had a shot deflected wide before Burchell came even closer when his shot clattered against the post.

Erico Sousa was off target for the hosts before Welling again came close when Adom crossed low but a stretching Jephte Tanga was unable to turn it home.

Pitterson made a good low save from Ndlovu’s deflected shot then Green shot over after cutting in as the two teams traded blows. Angelo Balanta drew another good save out of Pitterson before Ashmore did well to hold Tanga’s shot.

Ashmore was again called into action when saving a low shot from Papadopoulos before an acrobatic effort by Wood’s Timmy Abraham flew over.

However, as the game appeared to be petering out as a draw, the hosts were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and Marsh fired home.

Welling had one last chance in injury time but Green thrashed over after Tanga had created the opportunity.

Wings boss Danny Bloor will need to assess his mounting injury list ahead of his team’s difficult National League South trip to pre-season title favourites Torquay United next Saturday.