Inconsistent Wings need more of their squad to chip in with goals

BY MARK DOIG

Inconsistent Welling United were held 1-1 by Chippenham Town in the second of their three games at Park View Road in eight days.

There has been little joy at home for the Welling supporters with just four victories in 15 games prior to entertaining the Bluebirds. They have not won on home soil since New Year’s Day and came into the game on the back of a defeat after hosting Braintree Town last Tuesday.

Captain James Dunne and the equally experienced Stefan Payne both returned from their two-game bans but former Charlton Athletic and Bromley midfielder Taylor Maloney was still absent with injury.

Part of Welling’s problem has been that although George Alexander, Ade Azeez, Maloney and Payne have scored goals, few others have been getting on the scoresheet. Therefore, Warren Feeney will have been pleased that Kodi Lyons-Foster scored Welling’s late equaliser. His goal was only Welling’s third league goal from a defender this season.

There was a difference in style between the two teams. The visitors tried to play out from the back but they tended to put five or six passes together and then lose it before it reached their lone striker whereas Welling had the greater urgency in getting it to their front two with Payne just behind them.

He had Welling’s first shot on target from outside the penalty area but Will Henry pushed it round the post, albeit unconvincingly.

Azeez had a shot saved by Henry at the near post before Payne again tried his luck only to see his shot strike the base of the upright. A Chippenham passing move was almost rewarded when Craig Fasanmade’s shot was turned around the post by Welling goalkeeper Myles Roberts.

Again, Azeez was in the thick of it when an attack looked like breaking down. He controlled it and laid it off to Medy Elito who pulled it across for Dunne. He struck it first time from 15 yards, but wide of the far post.

Chi Ezennolim found Alexander by the touchline on the halfway line and he fought off a couple of tough tackles before lofting it forward for Azeez to chase. He got ahead of his man but the bounce was not kind to him and Aaron Simpson was able to hook it away before the former Charlton striker could get a shot away.

Owen Windsor had the last shot of the half for the visitors but Roberts claimed it easily.

Early in the second period, Amadou Kassarate delivered a cross and Payne rose but Spencer Hamilton’s challenge, with no intent to play the ball, was enough to thwart him. Roberts then made another comfortable save from a long range effort from Luke Russe.

Just after the hour mark, the Bluebirds’ passing game paid off. They moved it well from Henry’s rollout and got it out to Windsor on the right wing. He cut in and shot low, Roberts could not hold on to it, and Alex Bray pounced to score.

It took Welling 16 minutes to create another opening, but when they did, they got full value for it. Ezennolim clipped a sumptuous cross to the far post and Lyons-Foster got his foot to it to guide it home from a yard out.

Welling host Hemel Hempstead Town on Tuesday.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Ade Azeez has an attempt on goal