Mills scores late as Welling secure point at Wealdstone

BY MARK DOIG

A late Danny Mills goal helped Welling United claim a 1-1 draw against a robust Wealdstone team in National League South.

Steve King’s team struggled with the physical side in the first half but after the break their football created problems for the visitors and the equaliser was the least that they deserved.

In the opening minutes tackles flew in on Nassim L’Ghoul as Wealdstone looked to make their mark on who they considered to be the Welling danger-man.

Despite having been the victim of countless agricultural tackles L’Ghoul was shown a very harsh yellow card for his first minor misdemeanour.

Connor Stevens put Wealdstone ahead in the 21st minute. A long throw was only half cleared and when it came back in, Stevens had lost his marker to crash his shot beyond Dan Wilks.

Welling’s Matthew Paterson met a cross from Brendan Kiernan but it was too high to keep his side-foot volley down.

Stones’ Bradley Bubb then went on a mazy run but poked his effort into the side netting.

Wealdstone goalkeeper Jonathan North had a lucky escape early in the second period when he caught a cross but then dropped it on to Paterson’s back unchallenged. It fell for Bradley Goldberg to knock home but referee Alex Blake deemed it to be a foul and the goal was disallowed.

That proved to be the last meaningful act by Goldberg as he pulled up and had to be substituted with Mills replacing him.

Wilks made a stunning save from a David Pratt drive before Welling started to take control.

Kiernan sent in an awkward low cross that was well claimed by North before Wealdstone striker Bubb was perhaps fortunate to only see yellow after launching himself at L’Ghoul, leaving him in a heap on the touchline.

Montel Agyemang sent over a corner that Kiernan met with a volley but he was unable to keep it down.

Despite the rough treatment that he had suffered, L’Ghoul refused to hide and went on a thrilling run with defenders unable to stop him by any means. He found Thierry Audel, who had been thrown forward, but he was crowded out as he looked to shoot.

In the final minute, Mills got the goal that his performance and Welling’s second half endeavours deserved. Agyemang went on a strong run before slotting a superb reverse pass beyond North for Mills to finish with glee.

Shaken Wealdstone might have conceded again deep into injury time but Craig Braham-Barrett’s attempt from out wide curled just beyond the far post.

Second-placed Welling do not have a game on Saturday but will arrange a friendly to give some playing time to fringe players and those returning from injury.