Welling drop into National League South drop zone after defeat at home to league leaders Dorking
BY MARK DOIG
Defeat for Welling United at home to Vanarama National League South league leaders, Dorking Wanderers, resulted in the Wings dropping into the bottom four for the first time this season.
Rod Stringer, Welling’s manager, made changes to his starting line-up following their poor performance at Enfield Town four days earlier. Sam Cornish came in for Anthony Grant, and Harvey Walker made his long-awaited league debut in place of Josh Redfearn. He took a place on the substitute’s bench alongside new signing Connor Kelly.
Josh Taylor put the visitors ahead in just the seventh minute when his clever footwork made the space he needed to blast home. Welling might have crumbled, but they stuck to their plan and created all of the chances for the remainder of the first half, even though they were playing up the incline.
Walker had a shot well saved by Harrison Foulkes after good work by James Alabi; then he had another effort that appeared to be blocked by a defender’s arm in the penalty area. However, Welling’s appeals were dismissed.
Gene Kennedy came even closer midway through the first half when his shot from twenty-five yards out beat Foulkes all ends up but clattered the crossbar before flying back out.
As half-time approached, Dan Martin went on a strong run down the left wing and was tripped. However, he completed a forward roll, which allowed him to continue his progress until he was able to lay it off to Kennedy just inside the penalty area. He hit another strong shot that Foulkes could only beat out to TJ Bramble, but he blasted high over from the edge of the area.
Martin had to be withdrawn at half-time and Jack Burchell replaced him with Riccardo Di Trolio moving out to left back.
Brennan Camp had chances for the visitors early in the second half. First, he was tackled by Di Trolio just as he was shooting, and it rolled harmlessly to Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett. Then he got on the end of a deep Jimmy Muitt diagonal cross, only to glance his header beyond the far post.
After that, the Wings were able to keep their opponents at arm’s length without creating chances as good as they had in the first period. The nearest that they came was when Jayden Davis slung in a low cross that was just out of the reach of Di Trolio. Although Foulkes was troubled and was unable to hold it, he recovered quickly to smother it before anyone could react.
Jason Prior shot wide of the near post for the Wanderers when he met a low corner taken by Morgan Williams before Welling had another appeal for a spot-kick turned down in injury time when Kennedy went down in the penalty area.
Stringer’s side are back in league action next Saturday when they travel west to Chippenham Town in Wiltshire.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN