Welling lose 4-2 at National League South promotion chasers Dartford

BY MARK DOIG

Despite Dartford being in the top three, with Welling third from bottom, the Wings will again consider themselves unfortunate to come away from a game empty handed.

Princes Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Welling, with successes there few and far between, but they performed well and matched the Darts nearly all the way.

They came out with intent and their high pressing created the chance from which they went ahead in the third minute. Kristian Campbell, who had been restored to the team partly to help to nullify the threat of Danny Leonard, caused Kory Roberts to make a mistake. Campbell robbed him and squared for Dipo Akinyemi to slide home.

Luke Allen fired wide for Dartford before Campbell again got forward to meet a cross from Aaron Barnes but his radar was out as his header flew well wide.

Roberts again found himself in trouble and his hurried back pass was too soft, allowing Mason Saunders-Henry in on goal. Dan Wilks rushed out and as the two collided the ball squirmed loose but Welling could not make the most of it as the referee awarded a free-kick in Dartford’s favour, much to the disbelief of the striker. Wilks took full advantage by launching the free-kick forward and, assisted by the wind, it beat the Welling backline for Marcus Dinanga to sneak in and lob over the stranded Jack Sims and into the net.

However, Welling were soon back ahead. Akinyemi dispossessed Roberts and sent Barnes clear but he was scythed down in the penalty area by Kai Innocent who was lucky to not be punished more heavily than just conceding a spot kick. Akinyemi took the responsibility and sent Wilks the wrong way.

Another very poor challenge by Innocent was punished by no more than a warning and a free-kick and he made the most of it shortly afterwards by creating Dartford’s second equaliser when squaring for Leonard to slide it home.

Akinyemi came close to completing his hat-trick when Saunders-Henry’s cross-shot was inches beyond him when a touch was all that was needed, then Wilks made a superb diving save to push Olu Durojaiye’s shot round the post.

Ade Shokunbi headed over from Campbell’s corner and Welling went in at half time probably feeling that they should have been ahead.

After the interval, the game was far less open as, despite having the wind now in their favour, Welling struggled to break down a Dartford defence performing far better than they had earlier.

Just past the hour mark, Welling came desperately close when Campbell’s free-kick just missed the post with Wilks an onlooker then Dartford missed a chance when an unmarked Kieran Murtagh headed wide from a Jack Jebb free-kick.

Jebb shot over before Dartford went ahead for the first time with a rasping half volley from Allen that flew into the bottom corner.

Searching for an equaliser, Welling were exposed at that back and there was no way back for them when, with four minutes remaining, Dinanga curled in a beauty from out wide.

Peter Taylor will now have a week to prepare for their next game, at home to Chippenham Town, knowing that if they continue to show the same desire and intent, results will come and they will be able to pull away from the drop zone.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Danny Leonard turns away after scoring an equalising goal