First clean sheet since October for Welling United as they scrap out stalemate against Taunton Town

BY MARK DOIG

Although Welling United recorded their first National League South clean sheet since October, they were unable to find the net at the other end and were held at home to Taunton Town.

Coming into the game, the Wings were four points and one place behind the club from Somerset so it was a game full of tension that neither side wanted to lose. The fear of defeat might have been part of the reason that both clubs lacked enterprise in the first half.

Less than a minute had passed when Welling had their best opportunity of the first 45 minutes. Cameron Green sent over a cross that Tristan Abrahams could only head over.

Antony Papadopoulos showed good control and made space for a shot from 25 yards but he fired wide of the far post before Nick Grimes headed over Zac Bell’s cross.

As half-time approached Bell created another opportunity for the visitors when they broke quickly. He crossed low to the near post where Zac Smith met it and flicked it goalwards but Welling goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook was in the right place and got down to make a comfortable save.

After the half-time break, Welling again started quickly and Abrahams sent Adam Roscrow away but he was off balance when shooting and was well off target. Green then had a shot deflected wide.

Despite having plenty of possession and getting into good positions, the end product was missing for the Wings. Crosses fizzed across the penalty area but were not turned home and the Peacocks goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe was not called into action until turning a fierce shot by Green over the bar.

However, the momentum changed when with 17 minutes remaining the referee deemed a tackle by Dominic Odusanya to be too forceful. He was shown a red card and Welling manager Rod Stringer reacted by replacing Abrahams with midfielder Jason Adigun for his Wings debut. It was a tough baptism for the Charlton Athletic loanee as he had to play in a wide position rather than his favoured central midfield but he showed glimpses of what he might bring to the club.

There was no real threat on the Welling goal until injury time when the visitors had three good chances. First substitute Ross Stearn had a shot beaten out by Charles-Cook and Green cleared. Next, the Welling keeper had to get down sharply to save from Bell. Finally, Stearn broke through but Charles-Cook came out quickly to block and Anthony Green was on hand to get it away.

On Wednesday, Welling entertain Charlton Athletic in the London Senior Cup which will give Stringer a great opportunity to look at the squad players who haven’t played for him in the two games that he has overseen.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN