BY MARK DOIG
Luck again went against Welling United as they crashed at home to Eastbourne Borough.
Three penalty decisions went against the Wings but they were not the only reason for the defeat. Just one goal scored in their last four league matches, all of which ended in defeat, tells its own story.
They went behind in the fifth minute as a result of the first contentious decision of the match. Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett appeared to get to a cross just ahead of George Alexander to punch it away but the referee thought otherwise and awarded a penalty. Former Millwall and Wings striker Alexander stepped up and fired home from the spot.
That appeared to dent the Wings’ confidence and the Sports took control, winning a series of corners that Welling had to defend. Moussa Diarra netted from one but the referee had already blown his whistle for a clear push before he headed home.
Alexander then sent Yahaya Bamba clear and he tried to slide it beyond Lovett, but the Welling goalkeeper has shown his prowess with one-on-ones all season and made a great save with his left leg.
Pierce Bird hurled over a long throw that was flicked on by Diarra to Michael Klass and his half-volley came back out off the underside of the bar. Although Alexander was on hand for the rebound, he was offside and Welling escaped.
As half-time approached, Mitchel Bergkamp had Welling’s first effort on target but Joseph Wright saved comfortably.
Shortly after the break, Eastbourne again went close when Klass was forced out wide but still got a shot away that was cleared off the line by Chiori Johnson.
After that, Welling boss Rod Stringer made three changes that appeared to galvanise the Wings. They won a string of corners and the defenders had to throw themselves into the line of shots to keep them out. One of the substitutes – Charlie Pegrum – fired just wide before Alex Lankshear had a big shout for a penalty turned down when pulled back.
Pegrum came even closer with a shot that took enough of a deflection to take it just past the post. Welling captain Dave Winfield met a corner with a powerful header that was nodded over his own bar by Alexander. Dan Martin then delivered from the other side and Winfield met it with a towering header that was palmed out brilliantly by Wright.
Surprisingly, only seven additional minutes were signalled despite Eastbourne’s constant time wasting and, in the first minute, Welling had another clearcut penalty denied when Winfield was hauled to the ground to stop him from meeting a further corner.
When Welling had one last set-piece, Lovett went up and met Martin’s corner with a firm header that flew just over.
Stringer has a week to work on Welling’s next game, at St Albans City, and suggested that there may be further changes to the squad ahead of that match.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN
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