Welling United look set for National League South drop after defeat at Chesham United

BY MARK DOIG

The chances of Welling United escaping relegation took another massive blow when they were defeated at Chesham United.

Founding members of the National League South, Welling, have not played at a level lower since 1983.

However, they are odds on going down following their disappointing performance in Buckinghamshire.

Manager Brian Statham made one change to the team that had played so well seven days earlier when they defeated league leaders Worthing. Captain Dave Winfield returned to the starting line-up, with Riccardo Di Trolio moved to left back, and Harvey Walker dropped to the bench.

Neither side was able to come to terms with the difficult sandy playing surface in the first half with moves of more than three passes at a premium. There was only one real goal attempt, a shot by Welling’s Sahid Kamara that took a deflection and went wide.

Five minutes into the second half, Winfield went down injured and was replaced by Chiori Johnson, who slotted in at left back, while Di Trolio moved back into the left-sided centre half role.

As the match had been a non-event until then, it was a surprise when three goals were scored in an eight-minute spell. Nathan Minhas hooked the hosts ahead with their first shot of the match, but Di Trolio levelled from close range when Sam Cornish took a short corner that was returned to him to cross.

Ryan Upward put the Generals back ahead with a brilliant strike from over 25 yards out that was out of character in a match that was more of a war of attrition than anything else.

Maxwell Statham had a chance to level after good work by Deon Moore, but his side-footer from the edge of the penalty area flew just the wrong side of the far post.

Things then went from bad to worse for the Wings when leading scorer Gene Kennedy’s frustration got the better of him and his confrontation with the referee resulted in him being shown a red card. He will now miss three of Welling’s last five games.

Behind, and with a man down, the Wings had to throw caution to the wind, leaving them susceptible to the counter-attack. Johnson, returning from injury himself, made a brave block to thwart Zak Joseph, at the cost of another injury,y causing the substitute to be replaced.

One minute into stoppage time, the Wings were caught on the break again and Samson Esan went round the out-rushing goalkeeper, Rhys Lovett, before rolling it into the empty net from 35 yards out.

Joe Grant added a fourth four minutes later when firing home as the hosts again caught Welling on the counter.

If defeat was bad enough, the fact that Johnson and Winfield may well be out again to join Kennedy on the sidelines means that the likelihood of avoiding dropping into the Isthmian League looks ever more remote for the Wings.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN