Welling United’s poor start to National League South campaign continues

BY MARK DOIG

Defending dead ball situations again proved costly to Welling United in their 2-1 defeat at Eastbourne Borough.

They have already conceded a number of goals from dead-ball situations, either first phase or second phase, and both goals let in at Eastbourne came from corners.

In the first half they played into the face of a very strong wind and having gone in level at the break, they would have been favourites to win the three points after the restart. However, their build up play was far too laboured and they did not create enough even after manager Brad Quinton used all three of his substitutes to try and turn it around.

Just nine minutes were on the clock when Eastbourne went ahead. Having headed out a corner, the defence switched off and allowed Charlie Walker to drill it back in to an unmarked Greg Luer and he tucked it away from close range.

Rowan Liburd headed over from a Lionel Ainsworth free-kick before the two combined for the leveller. Liburd chested down well in the path of the former Motherwell favourite and he showed his quality with a crisp strike into the bottom corner.

Matt Dickenson headed a James Ferry corner over for the hosts before Reise Charles-Cook was called into action twice, saving from Charley Kendall and Luer.

Stefan Ilic had the last chance of the half for Welling after more good work between Ainsworth and Liburd, but goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli somehow turned it over with his leg.

Ainsworth continued to look the most likely to unlock the well-organised Eastbourne defence after the interval and his short corner allowed Anthony Cook the opportunity to make space and shoot but his effort from outside the penalty area was off target. Ainsworth then put in a great cross but Ilic could only stretch and poke just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Steven James met a corner with a first time volley that flew well over before Walker should have done better but blasted well over.

Welling’s respite was short-lived however and Eastbourne went ahead when Charles-Cook could only push a corner out and Kendall was quickest to react with a close range finish.

Although over 20 minutes remained, and Quinton introduced Dipo Akinyemi, Ade Snikonbi and Marcel Barrington into the fray, Welling were unable to create another clear-cut chance and dropped a further three points on the artificial surface.

Next Saturday, Welling will play their first home game of the season, and their first league game on a natural pitch, hoping to kickstart their season which has seen just one point claimed in three games.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN