Welling United draw 2-2 with Gosport Borough in see-saw FA Cup tie

BY MARK DOIG

Yet another see-saw match for Welling United ended with them claiming a late equaliser at Gosport Borough in the FA. Cup third qualifying round.

When Welling visited Dartford in the previous round, both teams held leads at one point before the Wings scored the winner. Then at Eastbourne, Danny Bloor’s team came from behind to take the lead, only to concede late on and settle for a draw.

At Gosport, they scored an opening goal for the first time since the August Bank Holiday weekend before going behind, but finished level. Although the lateness of the equaliser suggested that they ‘got out of jail’, a draw was the least that they deserved.

Bloor had to make one change to his starting line up as Lewis White failed to recover from a knock at Eastbourne and Kain Adom was brought in for his first start, and an eventful one it was.

In the early stages, Welling won the first of their 14 corners, against Gosport’s three, but it came to nothing before Crossley Lema’s shot shaved the bar. Jephte Tanga then shot low towards the bottom corner but Toby Steward got down well to make a good save.

Midway through the first half, Welling went ahead when Adom marked his full debut with a goal. He made room for himself at the edge of the penalty area and curled it into the top corner.

Antony Papadopoulos had an opportunity with a free-kick when Zak Sharp fouled Tristan Abrahams. He attempted to curl it around the wall but clipped the last man and it went just wide.

At the other end, Gosport’s only first-half opportunity was a shot by Brad Tarbuck which he hit straight into the ground to give Ben Winterbottom a simple save.

Just before half time Abrahams had a great opportunity to extend Welling’s lead when one-on-one with Steward but he attempted to open his body and got it all wrong with an effort well off target.

Nine mad second-half minutes saw the game turn on its head with Welling having a mountain to climb. A long clearance looked like it was going to be gathered by Winterbottom but Rafael Ramos got the slightest of touches to deceive the Welling keeper and it rolled home.

Adom’s full bow ended prematurely when Charlie Wassmer fouled him and they tangled. Both were shown yellow cards but as the Welling man had been booked earlier, he was dismissed.

Papadopoulos might have put Welling back ahead when thwarted by a great save by Steward after Tanga had dummied Jack Burchell’s pullback. However, it was the hosts who went ahead. Lachlan Byrd was a little too casual with a pass to Lema and it was intercepted by Rafael Ramos. He squared to an unmarked Dan Wooden, who gave Winterbottom no chance with his first time shot.

It took the 10 men a little time to compose themselves however, gradually, they regained control. Byrd headed Burchell’s chipped cross wide before Abrahams volleyed over from Tanga’s centre. Papadopoulos had a claim for a penalty turned down, Abrahams shot from distance went wide of the far post, and Dominic Odusanya was well off target.

There was just over a minute left in stoppage time when Welling restored parity. Cameron Green squared for Abrahams and he made no mistake when firing low inside the far post.

Part two of the saga will take place on Wednesday when it’s Welling’s turn to host.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Tristan Abrahams celebrates the late equaliser