Welling United end busy week with point at Aveley
BY MARK DOIG
Another point on the road ended a busy week for Welling United when they drew at Aveley.
Manager Rod Stringer made changes as Welling played their third match in six days. Ben Wells started for the first time since mid September, replacing Sam Cornish, and reverted to his favoured back three, with wing-backs, allowing him to return Zain Walker to the first team with Maxwell Statham missing out,
His team was sluggish in the opening period against a team that had enjoyed one day extra to rest and had had their last game settled with twenty minutes still to play. The Millers had a series of early corners, most of which were headed out by Dave Winfield. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft was off target from twenty yards, but that was the nearest that the hosts came during the period.
Walker created Welling’s first opportunity for Garrett Kelly, and his shot clipped off Joel Thompson to leave goalkeeper Joel Bloedorn stranded, but fortunately for the Millers, it went just past the post.
Kelly had another opportunity, albeit inadvertently, to score against his former club when Chiori Johnson’s low cross struck him. The ricochet could have gone anywhere, but luck again favoured the hosts when it rebounded straight into the arms of Bloedorn.
Josh Anifowose fired in an excellent low cross that Manny Ogunrinde was unable to turn home before the former’s participation ended early when he was dismissed for a high kick that caught Winfield in the face nine minutes before half-time. Both teams ended the period with ten men whilst the Welling captain underwent extensive treatment.
Even at the restart, the referee wasn’t happy that Winfield could return, and it was six minutes in that he was allowed back on, donning the number nine shirt. Coleman De-Graft had the first opening of the half for the Millers at the far post, but Rhys Lovett was alert to make the block.
At the other end, Josh Redfearn came close to his third goal in three games with a shot that flew wide of the near post with Bloedorn, a spectator.
Just shy of the hour mark, the ten men Millers went ahead when Hamza Semakula crossed, Coleman De-Graft flicked it on, and David Kawa fired home. However, as he did so, he fell awkwardly on his elbow and required lengthy treatment. Eventually, a stretcher was brought on and he was carried away to be replaced by Ibby Akanbi.
Despite having reverted to a defensive five-three-one formation, Aveley came close to increasing their lead when Akanbi’s header was tipped over superbly by Lovett.
Elliott Long, who had replaced Walker, lined up a shot but then saw Gene Kennedy better placed and slipped him through but his effort was not struck sweetly and went wide of the far post.
Although Welling continued to probe, they struggled to break down the resolute Aveley defence until they levelled with two minutes remaining. Alex Lankshear swung over a deep cross that Long controlled before firing a shot underneath Bloedorn and into the net.
When the fourth official indicated a minimum of thirteen additional minutes, Welling were lifted and laid siege to the Aveley goal. Jack Burchell fired over after good build-up play by Anthony Grant and Redfearn. Grant then had a clean strike saved by Bloedorn.
Kennedy came close with a glancing header from substitute Statham’s cross that went past the far post and then hit a first-time shot wide from fifteen yards. Winfield had a header saved comfortably before the referee ended play over an hour after the second period had started.
There is now a 15-day gap until Welling’s next National League South match, which will allow Stringer and his staff to give their players’ aching muscles a rest.
PICTURE: DAVE BUDDEN