Welling United fall to defeat on very first Enfield Town visit
BY MARK DOIG
After conceding late to drop two points on Saturday, Welling United’s poor performance at Enfield Town put them in serious jeopardy of relegation from the Vanarama National League South.
It was Welling’s first-ever visit to Enfield Town and not an evening that they would wish to remember.
Rod Stringer made two changes to the team that drew with St Albans City three days earlier. Chiori Johnson’s injury in that game, and Maxwell Statham not being quite ready to return, meant that Jayden Davis was moved to right wing back from a more central position, and Josh Redfearn was restored to the starting line-up. The other change was more of a like-for-like, with TJ Bramble returning from injury to replace Finn Ballard-McBride.
After a promising start, the Wings found themselves under pressure, especially from Jack Bates’ dead-ball deliveries. His first corner caused immediate problems for Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett. His punch out didn’t go too far and Sam Youngs headed back towards goal. Lovett managed to push it out again, but it was recycled and lofted back in. The Welling custodian failed to hold it and it fell to Hisham Kasimu who stabbed it wide from close range.
Another Bates delivery picked out Adam Thompson who thrashed over, then a further one caused problems when Dave Winfield headed towards his own goal and Lovett made an excellent reaction save.
In a rare foray into enemy territory, James Alabi did well to chest it back to Josh Redfearn. He played it across to Dan Martin who looked in on goal. Rhys Forster, the Enfield goalkeeper had other ideas, and he burst out to snuff out the danger.
Bates then tried his luck with a free kick that drew another good save from Lovett, however, Welling’s escape was short lived. Although the defence had been made aware of the danger of Youngs from corners, he was allowed to meet Bates’ near post delivery and head home from close range.
Davis had a half chance just before half-time when Forster’s hurried clearance fell to him on the right touchline, and the Eastbourne Borough loanee’s first-time lob from forty yards flew just over.
Hopes that Welling would react with more positivity after the break were dashed and Bates fired over from a free kick before the Towners extended their lead just after the hour mark. Bates was again involved when sending Anointed Chukwu through and the striker scored his first goal since joining the club from Welling.
Kasimu shot across the face of goal and Bayley Brown shot wide; however, the hosts were content to hold on to what they had and keep the Wings at bay. Welling had no answer and the game petered out.
Stringer and assistant manager will need to lift his players at training on Thursday ahead of their home game against league leaders, Dorking Wanderers, on Saturday.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN