Welling United fail to deal with wind in 3-0 defeat at Salisbury

BY MARK DOIG

Salisbury took advantage of wasteful Welling United in a windy National League South match.

As a result of their defeat, the Wings dropped down one place in the table, and are now behind their hosts on goal difference

There was little goalmouth action in the first half when Welling played into the strong gusts.

Jaden Perez shot over for Salisbury but the Wings looked in control before they were on the wrong side of a highly contentious offside decision.

Ronan Silva appeared to be well offside when Thomas Leggett sent a long pass down the wing. The assistant referee failed to flag and there was a further possible offside when Silva played Noah Coppin through to slot into the empty net. Several Welling players ran over to question the assistant and goalkeeper Rhys Lovett was cautioned for his protests.

Despite the weather disadvantage, Welling came more into the game in the latter stages of the first half and might have levelled from one of their corners when Sam Cornish delivered to the far post for Dave Winfield, who headed wide.

Early in the second period Martell Taylor-Crossdale robbed Josh Sommerton to go clear on goal but his shot was beaten out by goalkeeper Dan Lincoln and the rebound struck the Welling striker on the arm before his follow-up shot came back off the crossbar.

Now in the ascendancy, it seemed only a matter of time before Welling levelled. TJ Bramble shot wide of the near post after connecting with Gene Kennedy’s low cross then a repeat move almost produced a goal when two Bramble efforts were blocked and it came out to Zain Walker, whose first-time effort whistled past the far post with Lincoln stranded.

Maxwell Statham then created a chance for Josh Redfearn but he could not turn it home before Theo Alexandrou, who had just come on for his debut, had a shot deflected just wide for a corner. Cornish delivered and it must have taken a slight touch off a defender as after hitting the bar, it went over and another corner was awarded. From this one, again whipped in by Cornish, Jack Burchell got a head on it but it went wide of the near post.

Having failed to take any of their chances, the Wings were suckerpunched when the hosts doubled their lead. Jordan Ragguette exchanged passes with Coppin before firing across an exposed Lovett and inside the far post.

Welling pulled one back four minutes later when Alexandrou was fouled in the penalty area and Kennedy sent Lincoln the wrong way from the spot. The Wings were unable to create another opening and Salisbury ensured the win with two minutes remaining through a Coppin penalty after Perez was deemed to have been brought down by Anthony Grant.

Although disappointed to come away empty-handed, none of the bottom four clubs won – so Welling maintained their nine-point buffer over the relegation zone.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN