Truro City secure first-ever win at Welling United

BY MARK DOIG

All of the goalscoring took place in the first half when Truro City won for the first time ever at Welling United.

Once again, Welling manager Rod Stringer rang the changes as he looked to find a winning formula. Dan Jinadu came in to make his debut in goal while Anthony Grant, Chiori Johnson, Elliot Long and Martell Taylor-Crossdale were restored to the starting line up.

Dave Winfield had the first opportunity of the match when meeting Gene Kennedy’s corner, but he was forced into a hurried header that went wide. Then Truro’s leading scorer Tyler Harvey had a chance with a close-range reaction header that went the wrong side of the post.

Neither team created a further opening until midway through the first half when Welling went ahead. Zain Walker’s shot took a heavy deflection off Will Dean, leaving Truro goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe helpless as it flew into the net.

Jinadu made an excellent save from Billy Palfrey before the visitors levelled just after the half-hour mark. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain’s long throw was cleared, but when it came back in, Jaze Kabia had lost his marker and had the space to hook home inside the far post.

Dan Martin then had to be withdrawn with injury and was replaced by Kwaku Donkor before Truro went ahead six minutes after equalising. This time, Kabia was the creator with a cross that found Tom Harrison, and he made no mistake with a close-range header.

On the stroke of half-time, Winfield was cautioned for a foul on Kabia.

Six minutes after the break, Winfield again fouled Kabia and with Truro players surrounding the referee, baying for blood, they got what they demanded and a second yellow card was shown to the Welling captain to end his game.

Ryan Law volleyed home for Truro, but was offside. However chances were few and far between as the visitors were happy to defend anything that Welling could throw at them while trying to catch the Wings on the break.

Stringer made a triple change just after the hour mark, and there could be no faulting the Welling team for effort, but they were unable to break their determined opponents down.

Harrison had another chance for the visitors but headed over, and Sam Sanders flashed a shot wide.

Chiori Johnson forced a save out of Lavercombe in the closing minutes when he hit a shot sweetly through a crowd of players, but it was too straight and the Truro custodian was able to smother.

That was Welling’s last chance and they now have a week to prepare for the start of their F.A. Trophy campaign when they entertain Havant and Waterlooville.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN