Rod Stringer suffers first Welling home National League South defeat at the hands of Chesham United

BY MARK DOIG

Rod Stringer experienced his first home Vanarama National League South defeat as manager of Welling United at the hands of Chesham United.

Since taking the manager’s reins in January, Park View Road has become a fortress for Stringer’s Wings until the run ended when newly promoted Chesham stormed the barricades. In the first half, especially, they bombed the Wings’ defence with high punts, long throws and corners, utilising the windy day to the full.

Having conceded just two goals in their opening four games, Welling’s defence had looked in good shape coming into the game but they were given a stern examination by the direct football of their visitors. Rhys Lovett, Welling’s goalkeeper, made a string of fine saves to keep his team in the game until late on.

His first came, ironically, from Welling’s first corner. It was hacked out quickly, and Omar Rowe timed his run to beat his man and race through on a one-on-one. Lovett timed his intervention to perfection and made himself big to block the attempted slot home, taking a kick in the process. When he was beaten by a header from Callum Adebiyi, Anthony Grant was in the right place to nod it off the line.

Mitchell Weiss shot across the face of goal before putting the Generals ahead. A high punt was allowed to bounce in the penalty area and the veteran striker poked it to guide it inside the far post.

Joseph Grant and Steve Brown both had headers saved comfortably by Lovett and it was in the latter stages of the first half when Welling first threatened. Martell Taylor-Crossdale sent a free kick wide then Daniel Martin cut in from the right and fired a low shot that was well saved by Benjamin Goode.

Just after the hour mark, Welling’s task was made harder when the already cautioned Taylor-Crossdale went down as he tried to round Goode. The referee deemed it to be simulation and showed him a second yellow and a red card.

Despite being short-handed, Welling had a far better claim for a spot kick when Martin sent Oscar Borg through, and he appeared to be challenged illegally as he prepared to slot home. He sustained an injury in the process and the Wings were reduced to nine men while he had a wound to the head dressed.

Lovett again came to the rescue when Weiss was sent clear and the Welling goalkeeper made another brilliant save to stop him from slipping it past him. Joe Grant was the next visiting player to be left scratching his head as his shot towards the bottom corner was turned around the corner by the excellence of Lovett.

Twelve minutes remained when he conceded for a second time. As Welling threw men forward looking for a leveller, they were left short-handed at the back and Rowe had space and time to shoot towards the bottom corner. Although Lovett did well to even get a hand to it, the placement meant that he couldn’t keep it out.

Weiss then added a third when another brilliant save kept out T’Sharne Gallimore’s effort, but it came out to the former St. Albans City hitman, who chipped it into the empty net from twenty-five yards.

He looked to be in for a hat-trick when sent clear through but Lovett thwarted him with another one-on-one save before Welling scored a consolation goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Jacob Mensah’s diagonal free kick was met by Martin, and his firm header from a tight angle gave Goode no chance.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN