Welling United’s unbeaten league run ends at Farnborough

BY MARK DOIG

After eight National League South matches unbeaten, Welling United fell to a 1-0 defeat in Tuesday night’s game at Farnborough.

Although not pleasing on the eye, Farnborough’s tactic of bombarding their opponents penalty area with Guy Hollis long throw ins and Olly Pendlebury corners can be effective and it earned them the three points against the Wings.

In the early stages, Welling struggled to come to terms with Farnborough’s direct style of play and both Hollis and Edon Pruti failed to hit the target with headers from corners. Welling goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook then tipped a Pendlebury header over from a Hollis long throw before Pendlebury chanced his arm with a free-kick that flew straight at Charles-Cook, and he made the save.

Despite the pressure, Farnborough did not create many chances and Welling started to look a little more menacing until they got into the final third when they lacked quality, especially with crosses from good positions.

Five minutes before half-time the deadlock was broken. Another Hollis long throw was headed out as far as Aaron Kuhl, and he hooked home from just inside the penalty area.

Chaos ensued as the first half came to a close when the referee rushed around not knowing who to caution for a bad foul on Sonny Fish before he blew his half-time whistle early.

After the break, Welling looked a little more lively and Fish had a shot blocked before Riccardo Di Trolio headed wide of the near post from Cameron Green’s corner,

Kuhl scuffed a shot wide from another Pendlebury delivery that was half cleared before Selim Saied fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

Lachlan Byrd had a shot blocked in a goalmouth scramble after Fish had done well to head into the danger area before Welling came desperately close when Green’s shot from twenty yards came back out off the post.

Jason Adigun whistled a shot over from the edge of the box for the Wings before another Hollis long throw caused problems ending with Kuhl shooting inches wide.

With seven minutes remaining, Welling manager, Rod Stringer, made a triple substitution but there was not sufficient time for any of the replacements to make an impact.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main Pic: Early in the game Guy Hollis heads wide