Welling pick up point away to Chippenham Town to climb out of National League South drop zone
BY MARK DOIG
Once again Rod Stringer, Welling United’s manager, rang the changes for their visit to Chippenham Town in the Vanarama National League South.
New signings Scott Kashket and Garrett Kelly began their second spells with the Wings in the starting line-up, while another newcomer, Deon Moore, was among the five substitutes. Dan Quick was played ahead of his normal centre-back role in front of the back three for the first half before dropping back into a four for the second period.
It looked as though it might be a long afternoon for the Wings when they went behind in the eleventh minute. Freddie Grant’s shot appeared to hit the arm of a Welling defender, but despite loud protestations, only a corner was awarded. Luke Spokes’s delivery flicked off a Welling head and found Grant unmarked. Although he made a mess of his shot, he got lucky when it flew straight at Hamzad Kargbo, who diverted it home.
Tom Mehew was then sent clear but failed to get a clean connection and Rhys Lovett had an easier save to make than he might have expected before Welling started to create opportunities. James Alabi did well in controlling a long pass and went around Chippenham goalkeeper Will Henry. He then squared to Kashket, who looked sure to score until Luke Haines got back to make an outstanding last-ditch tackle.
Alabi was then fouled as his strength again caused problems for the Bluebirds’ defence, and from the free kick, Welling levelled. Harvey Walker delivered it into a dangerous area and Dave Winfield got in front of his marker and Henry to side-foot volley it home from close range.
Although playing up the slope and into the wind, the Wings asked more of the questions without creating chances, and it was the hosts that came close twice just before the interval. First, another Spokes corner hit the bar, and then a good turn by Matt McClure allowed him a shot at goal that he dragged wide.
Mehew had another chance for Chippenham early in the second half with a shot from a half-cleared corner that went through a sea of legs before being blocked by Lovett.
However, Welling then had the lion’s share of the possession, but with a back four shoring up the defence, they had fewer attacking options. Alabi again held it up well before laying it off for Jayden Davis, whose powerful drive just missed the angle of bar and post with Henry beaten.
Moore was then introduced for his debut as both managers made substitutions, disrupting the flow of the game.
Despite Welling continuing to have the better of the territorial advantage, the hosts had chances on the break and both Caine Bradbury and Mehew both failed to hit the target when Lovett closed down the angle.
Late on, it was Welling’s turn to have a huge shout for a penalty for an apparent handball turned down and both teams had to settle for the draw.
Results elsewhere meant that the point won enabled Welling to climb out of the bottom four with a busy week ahead.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN
