Welling United 3 St Albans City 1 – Wings progress in FA Trophy

BY MARK DOIG

Although absentees meant that Welling United’s team picked itself, they progressed into the first round of the FA Trophy with victory over St. Albans City.

Korrey Henry was not available at the end of his loan spell, Julien Anau, Adam Coombes and Gavin McCallum were injured and Sanchez Ming suspended. Anthony Cook, Moses Emmanuel and Ejiro Okosieme were not fully fit and were named on the bench so the remaining eleven fit first team squad players all started.

Bradley Goldberg, himself returning from injury, drew the first save out of Dean Snedker in the early minutes. Nathan Green then got on the end of a deep Montel Agyemang corner and Snedker made a great save before Welling repeated the routine but Snedker’s save was less arduous second time around.

At the other end, Welling survived a spell of penalty area pinball before St. Albans went ahead. A Smedker kick out and flick on sent Sam Merson clear and his powerful drive was beaten out by Dan Wilks. However, it came back out to him and he squared unselfishly to Zane Banton who took a touch before firing home..

Merson then headed a Tom Bender cross over before Snedker saved easily as Rob Swaine stretched to head Joe Anderson’s free kick.

Soloman Nwabuokei got in behind but shot straight at Wilks before the Saints almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Ollie Sprague’s free kick was flicked on by Merson but it flew back off the bar.

At the break, Mark Goldberg felt that he had no option other than to change things and he brought on Cook and also Emmanuel for his second Welling debut. Cook almost made an immediate impact when his free kick found Waldren but his header went wide.

The visitors then had another good chance to get the crucial second but Merson shot beyond the far post when he got in behind. Welling were forced to make their final substitution with Okosieme, replacing the injured Swaine.

As the game approached the hour mark, Welling equalised. Cook’s corner was headed forward by Jay Rich-Baghuelou. Emmanuel shot on the turn and although his shot was blocked by Snedker it came out to Waldren and he bundled home from close range.

Less than two minutes had passed when Welling went ahead. Cook was sent away by Goldberg and he angled a low cross towards the far post inviting Emmanuel to finish and he tucked it home.

Emmanuel then had a drive saved by Snedker before Welling’s task was made harder when Waldren was dismissed for a hard, but what looked fair, challenge on Nwabuokei that left him unable to continue.

Despite that, ten man Welling scored again with six minutes remaining when Cook surprised Snedker by sending a precision free kick just inside the near post.

Substitute Joe Iaciofano had two late chances, first when sent clear through but Wilks made a good save with his boot. Then deep into injury time a defensive mix-up left Wilks scrambling to get back but Iaciofano’s chip floated over.

Welling United: Wilks, Dymond, Anderson, Waldren, Swaine (Okosieme 48), Rich-Baghuelou, Cosgrave (Cook 46), Agyemang, Goldberg, Widdrington, Green (Emmanuel 46). Subs not used: Prall, Johnson, Burstow, Atkins.

Photos by Dave Budden