Welling United denied all three points in late draw at Cheshunt

BY MARK DOIG

There was late disappointment for Welling United as they dropped two points away to Cheshunt in the National League South on Tuesday evening.

Warren Feeney’s side went ahead early in the second period through Ade Azeez’s 15th goal of the season, but they conceded a penalty in stoppage time and were forced to settle for a point.

Coming into the game on the back of a victory at promotion-chasing Chelmsford City and a draw at home to second-placed Dartford, the question asked was: ‘Could Welling do it in front of a small crowd at Cheshunt on a cold Tuesday night?’

Having taken points from all of the clubs in the top four, it’s clear that Feeney’s team enjoys the bigger occasions, but points dropped in the less glamourous games could explain why they are not challenging for the play-offs.

The game at Cheshunt on a very cold evening was a pretty dour affair, especially in the first half, where both goalkeepers were spectators and there wasn’t a corner until two minutes before the half time break. 

Stefan Payne shot wide for Welling, whilst the closest the hosts came was a wild long-range effort that flew over by Tyrelle Newton and a header that floated wide from Alfie Cue.

Already without Kodi Lyons-Foster through injury, Welling’s other first-choice centre-back, Jamie Sendles-White, could not continue after the interval. Taylor Curran returned to partner Manny Parry.   

Welling went ahead five minutes into the second half.

Azeez chased a George Alexander through ball. Cheshunt goalkeeper Preston Edwards charged out but only managed to strike the Welling striker with his clearance before looking on in horror as it rolled into the unguarded net.

Following Welling’s opener, the Ambers huffed and puffed to try and find a way through, but Parry and Taylor dealt comfortably with the ariel bombardment as neither team seemed able to hold onto it in midfield and create much. 

Welling goalkeeper Myles Roberts was called into making a good save from Joe Re as the game went into the final fifteen minutes. Reece Beckles-Richards also had a shot blocked bravely by Aaron Powell.

Kyrell Lisbie had a shot saved by Edwards before Welling keeper Roberts had a tougher one to make, tipping over a shot by Fraser Alexander.

That looked to be it until injury time when the Ambers won a corner. 

As had happened in the few occasions when there had been other corners, there was much grappling going on in the penalty area before and as the corner was delivered. 

Payne was too strong with his contributions, causing a Cheshunt player to go down right in front of the referee, who immediately pointed to the spot. 

It took the referee over a minute to deal with the protests while two Cheshunt players decided upon who would take the kick. 

Beckles-Richards took the responsibility and sent Roberts the wrong way. Payne continued his protests too forcibly and was shown a second yellow card and dismissed with another suspension awaiting him.

Welling will travel to fourth-placed Oxford City on Saturday and Feeney will be looking for a more creative performance from his team.

 PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN