Welling United 1 Chippenham Town 0 – Akinyemi goal helps Wings climb into mid-table spot

BY MARK DOIG

Following their only goal victory at Dulwich Hamlet, Welling United again found one goal was sufficient as they saw off Chippenham Town.

When Brad Quinton arrived at Park View Road, Welling were at a low ebb having lost four league games on the spin and when they lost again at Wealdstone they found themselves in the bottom two. However, five wins and a draw in seven games have taken them into mid-table and seven points above the drop zone. They now know how to win games, even when not at their best, and this one proved that point.

Coming into the game Chippenham had only lost one in their last six and had won their last two. Their confidence showed with a strong start. Chris Zebroski tried his luck within the first few seconds but his long range effort flew well wide. Scott Twine had a shot deflected but Dan Wilks got down to save. The visitors then came very close when Nat Jarvis met Luke Russe’s cross at the near post with a glancing header that came back off the far upright.

Brad Goldberg looked second favourite when chasing a long through ball but somehow battled his way beyond two defenders and got a shot away but Will Puddy saved with his foot and Dipo Akinyemi’s follow up was blocked out by a defender.

Lively Akinyemi had another opportunity but Curtis McDonald got across to make a brilliant last ditch block tackle as the former Dulwich striker shot. Cameron James then side footed wide when attempting to find the bottom corner.

Twine and Callum Gunner were both off target for Chippenham before Welling went ahead. Nathan Green’s diagonal ball went beyond James but Akinyemi arrived late to give Puddy no chance with a close range finish.

Chippenham were presented with an opportunity to equalise almost immediately when Welling conceded a needless free kick but Twine was unable to keep it down.

Following the break, Chippenham again looked lively at the start and Jarvis shot wide from Zebroski’s cross before Gunner fired an effort out of the ground. Wilks was then called upon to get down and behind a low shot from Rhys Tyler.

Montel Agyemang came on as a substitute to give Welling something different in midfield and they enjoyed more control. He showed his attacking intent when he sent Anthony Cook clear down the right but the Welling captain’s fierce drive was beaten out at the near post by Puddy.

Russe fired well over from thirty yards for the visitors before Agyemang drew a save out of Puddy.

After that, Welling saw out the remaining time with relative ease to claim the three points.

Welling United: Wilks, Johnson, Green, Joseph, Swaine, Wright, James (Agyemang 66), Rolt, Akinyemi (Henry 86), Goldberg (Dymond 90), Cook. Subs not used: Coombes, Roberts.

PICTURES BY DAVE BUDDEN