Welling now prepare for life in the Isthmian League Premier Division after Salisbury draw

BY MARK DOIG

Brian Statham’s last match in charge of Welling United ended in a draw at home to Salisbury.

Due to injury to Welling’s player of the season, goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, and the fact that there was not another keeper on their books, the club was allowed to sign an emergency stopper on loan.

Henry Blackledge came in on loan from Luton Town. In other team changes, captain Dave Winfield returned from injury while both Scott Kashket and Josh Redfearn were restored to the starting line-up. Cameron Andrews returned from his loan at Phoenix Sports and took up a place as a substitute.

Still unfit to participate were Jack Burchell, Chiori Johnson, Deon Moore, Maxwell Statham, Harvey Walker and Zain Walker, while Garrett Kelly remained absent. Although named as a substitute, Tyrese Briscoe was also an invalid.

Visitors Salisbury knew that they would escape relegation from the National League South as long as their result was no worse than St Albans City’s, who were playing at Truro City for whom victory would make them champions.

Although both teams had shots early on, neither goalkeeper was tested with Gene Kennedy firing wide for Welling and Callum Watts, Owen Dore, and Tom Leggett all off target for the visitors. Rhys Byrne was then called upon to make a good low save from Dan Martin’s 20-yard shot before he made an even better one from Josh Redfearn.

Jez Davies came closer still to putting Welling ahead when his header came back out off the post. However, it was the visitors who went ahead from a penalty just before half time. Josh Hedges converted from the spot after he had been caught in the area by TJ Bramble.

Byrne made an easy save from Cameron Andrews, who had come on as a substitute for the second half, before Welling levelled in the sixty-third minute. Sam Cornish did well to find Redfearn, and he moved it cleverly before planting it into the bottom corner.

Kennedy and Sahid Kamara were both off target before Davies was very unlucky not to score a winner for the Wings with a fierce drive that shook the bar and flew over.

Knowing that St Albans were four-one down at half time, Salisbury were happy to see the game out with a point apiece.

After the game, Statham confirmed that a new manager would be announced in the next week or so, and that player recruitment work would start in preparation for Welling’s first season in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD