Welling fall to defeat in first home outing of the National League South campaign

BY MARK DOIG

Danny Bloor’s first game in charge of Welling United on home soil ended in defeat against Hemel Hempstead Town.

It was their second loss of the season but was a vast improvement on their first-half performance away to Truro City seven days earlier. On that day, there was no disputing that they deserved to come away with nothing, but they should have claimed at least a point against the Tudors.

They were slow out of blocks, but once they had made a subtle change at the back, they grew into the game. Leyton Orient loanee Jephte Tanga caused the Tudors so many problems that they had to try to negate it by switching their full-backs.

Early on, Welling goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom did well to make himself big and blocked Chris Smith’s free header before Reece Grant lobbed the Wings’ stopper but watched his effort float wide.

Tanga created Welling’s first opening when receiving TJ Bramble’s pass and playing in Alex MacAllister. He drew out Craig King and clipped it over him, but the angle was against him and it went beyond the far post.

Two Antony Papadopoulos efforts flew beyond the angle of the bar and post before Hemel were reduced to ten men. Former Crystal Palace youngster Alfie Matthews was already on a yellow card when he dived in on Will Wood deep into injury time and the referee again brandished his yellow card, followed by a red.

Bramble was off target with a shot early in the second period before King turned over Taofiq Olomowewe’s header from Wood’s corner. Although Hemel were on the defensive, they threatened on the break and Winterbottom made an excellent save when tipping a George Williams shot around the post.

Fifteen minutes remained when the referee made the first of two big decisions to go against the Wings. Bramble went in hard in a tackle that was probably worthy of a yellow card, but the official saw it differently and sent him off to even up the numbers.

Four minutes later, he made his second award in favour of the visitors. Papadopoulos was deemed to have fouled Tyrese Briscoe in the penalty area and the official pointed to the spot. Williams took full advantage by smashing it straight down the middle.

Young Welling substitute Kain Adom had a shot tipped over before having one last chance in injury time when meeting Amadou Kassarate’s cross with a header that went just wide.

Bloor’s team has a quick chance to respond when they host Chelmsford City on Tuesday evening.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN