Welling suffer defeat at Tonbridge and stay firmly rooted in relegation battle
BY MARK DOIG
Defeat at Tonbridge Angels increased Welling United’s worries of relegation from the Vanarama National League South.
Rod Stringer, Welling’s manager, made two changes to the team that earned an encouraging point at Chippenham Town on Saturday. Gene Kennedy’s injury ended his ‘ever-present’ record for the Wings, and Sam Cornish returned to replace him. Deon Moore was introduced for his full debut at the expense of James Alabi who was not included in the sixteen.
In the early stages, it appeared that Welling were going to build on their draw in Wiltshire. Scott Kashket twice went close, first with a shot that fizzed over before he again connected cleanly with a strike that drew a brilliant save out of Matt Rowley who tipped it onto the bar and over.
Jayden Davis then got himself into a good position, and it took a last-ditch block to deflect his shot just over the crossbar.
After that, Tonbridge started to impose themselves. Gianluca Botti, who had trialled with Welling in pre-season, brought down an awkward pass and set himself only for Cornish to get back to make a brilliant tackle. Botti had further opportunities when shooting just wide of the near post before missing the target with a header from Mikey Berry’s cross.
Seven minutes before half-time, the hosts went ahead. Riccardo Di Trolio tripped Ethan Sutcliffe on the edge of the area and a penalty was awarded. Liam Vincent stepped up to take it and blasted it straight down the middle.
Jamie Fielding headed wide from a Tonbridge corner taken by Sean Shields then Di Trolio did likewise at the other end from Harvey Walker’s delivery. Sonny Nelson came close to doubling the Angels’ lead just before half-time with a shot that went just over.
Early in the second period, Lovett made an excellent low save from Shields before the hosts went two up just shy of the hour mark. Botti, making his fifth start for Tonbridge, rose at the far post and gave Lovett no chance with a powerful header home.
Stringer reacted by replacing Walker with TJ Bramble before bringing on his other four substitutes a few minutes later. However, other than a long shot by Sahid Kamara that drew an easy save out of Rowley, and a free kick by Martell Taylor-Crossdale that went into the side netting, Welling didn’t threaten.
Results elsewhere meant that Welling remained outside the bottom four on goal difference, but the concern of relegation remains real while they struggle to score and keep clean sheets.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN