Thamesmead Town 1 – 1 Welling United

Welling Team
1. Jordan Busby
2. Chris Dunphy
3. Sam Wilson
4. Ian Brooke
5. Joel Thompson
6. Mark Eaton
7. Ed Willoughby
8. Josh Smith
9. Charlie Hookway
10. James Cummings
11. Rishi Nankani

subs
12. Charlie Bertuello
14. Matt Vitty
15. Richard Stevens
22. Ollie Green (GK)

Scorer: Rishi Nankani (10)


Welling went into this match trying to avenge two close Cup games before Christmas which the home side had won 2-0 and 2-1. As always this was always going to be a close game played between two teams who have respect for each other.

The game started brightly for Welling who went ahead after 10 minutes. A break down the right saw Chris Dunphy play in Josh Smith, whose cross was turned in by Rishi Nankani. Welling had a chance to increase their lead when Rishi Nankani saw his speculative lob over the keeper go wide rather than into the goal.

Rishi was then clearly taken down in the box. From my viewpoint which was almost in line with the incident with a clear sight it was a foul which should have resulted in a penalty but the referee was unsure whether a foul had been committed and therefore did not give it.

Thamesmead began to get back in the game and were always dangerous from set pieces where Welling are weak in the air. However the defence held firm and Welling went in holding a deserved 1-0 lead.

Half time Thamesmead Town 0 – 1 Welling United

Thamesmead came out for the second half much more like a top of the table side and it was soon clear that this half was going to be a battle. Welling had the chance to go 2-0 up when Rishi Nankani managed to round the last defender. He chose to try and round the keeper when he could have passed the ball to two unmarked colleagues but and saw the keeper make an excellent save to prevent the goal.

Mark Eaton then pulled off a spectacular clearance as the Thamesmead forward went round the advancing Jordan Busby in the Welling goal. Thamesmead were increasingly putting Welling under more pressure as the game wore on and eventually their efforts paid off when a quality finish from Bradley Killick saw the ball fly into to the top corner to level the score. Welling had to soak up more pressure but held firm ensuring the draw.

There wasn't a yellow card shown as both teams gave a 100% and in the end neither side could complain about the score line.

The home fixture on 23rd April will hopefully provide Welling with an opportunity to continue the improvement in their results against Thamesmead with a win.

Managers Comments
“Excellent first half display when we should have got the second goal. Disappointed not to get the penalty but that happens. In the second half we were holding on at the end, and all credit to Thamesmead who like ourselves are a much improved side from last season. The game was played in an excellent spirit, and both teams played some good football. Without being involved we had the bonus of winning Group C in the League Cup competition so it guarantees us a home game in the quarter finals on 2nd April against the runners up in Group B. Our season is still very much alive!”