Welling United thumped 4-0 at Dartford – as they slide even closer to National South relegation zone
BY MARK DOIG
Welling United’s miserable festive period ended in a heavy derby defeat at Dartford .
Having lost the first game between the two sides 3-0 on Boxing Day, they lost at Eastbourne Borough before their New Year’s Day humbling at Princes Park. They are now just two points clear of the National South relegation zone with difficult fixtures pending.
As was the case on Boxing Day, Darren McQueen and Elliott Romain were a real handful and over the course of the 180 minutes of the two games, they helped themselves to three goals each.
Romain had the first goal attempt when he shot wide then Ky Marsh-Brown fired straight at Dan Wilks. Jacob Berkely-Agyepang had a shot tipped over before McQueen shot across the face of goal as Dartford continued their fast start.
Dipo Akinyemi had Welling’s first chance deflected wide but Dartford went ahead immediately afterwards. Berkely-Agyepang was allowed to run across the goal and although his shot wasn’t powerful it was placed perfectly into the bottom corner.
Dan Wilks made a number of great saves, one of which thwarted Romain before Dartford increased their lead. Liam Gordon crossed and Romain’s little push on Danny Waldren gave him space to head home unchallenged.
McQueen and Romain both shot over before Welling had a good spell approaching half time. Connor Dymond caught a hesitant Billy Crook and found Moses Emmanuel but his low shot was saved well by Alhaji Sesay despite bobbling just before reaching him. Sesay twice thwarted Bradley Goldberg.
When Steve King was manager of Welling he had Marsh-Brown on loan and tried to sign him permanently without success. He now has him at Dartford and he had the first chance of the second half but Wilks saved comfortably.
Substitute Gavin McCallum had a shot blocked for Welling and Emmanuel’s follow up was also blocked. Goldberg then had a shot saved before Dartford scored again.
Although Wilks saved Marsh-Brown’s fierce drive initially, he couldn’t hold it and Romain pounced to finish.
Jordan Wynter fired over before Dartford added a fourth. Substitute Luke Wanadio burst into the box and went down under Jay Rich-Baghuelou’s challenge and a penalty was awarded. McQueen had scored from the spot at Park View Road and he did likewise in the return fixture.
Another outstanding Wilks save denied Romain a hat-trick before Liam Gordon had an effort blocked and follow up saved. Danny Waldren had a shot blocked in stoppage time for Welling before they were put out of their misery.
Manager Mark Goldberg returns on Saturday and has a lot of work ahead of him to halt the bad run of results.
Welling United: Wilks, Johnson, Anderson, Waldren, Swaine, Green (Rich-Baghuelou 45), Rooney (McCallum 45), Dymond, Akinyemi, Goldberg (Cook 52), Moses. Subs not used: Agyemang, Henry.
PICTURES BY DAVE BUDDEN