Welling United drew 0-0 with Basingstoke Town in the FA Trophy First Round at Park View Road on Saturday. Chances were few and far between but the main talking point of the game came in the second period when Jamie Day was dismissed for allegedly spitting at an official.

It was the homeside that had the better of the early exchanges. Matt Bodkin went close on 13 minutes when the Grays Athletic bound midfielder fired over from Jamie Day's corner.

Minutes later and Danny Kedwell should have put his team in front but the Wings top scorer couldn't direct his volley on target from another Day corner.

Basingstoke slowly got themselves back into the game and it could have been the visitors that took the lead. Scott Cross fired just wide before Justin McKay sent his free-kick over the bar.

McKay then saw his effort saved low by Welling keeper Jamie Turner. Bodkin who made over 50 appearances and scored 6 goals for the club was denied his 7th when Stuart Searle parried away his half-volley.

The second half saw little goalmouth action as the game was reduced to scrappy play. The homeside did see the ball in the back of the net when Kedwell latched onto Steve Harper's ball but the offside flag denied the Wings.

However, just moments later Day conceded a free-kick just inside his own half. The referee then called over the Wings captain after the linesmen drew his attention to what turned out to be allegedly spitting at an official. Day was subsequently sent off and Welling were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the game.

Kedwell then saw his shot saved comfortably from the edge of the area before Turner denied Luke Townsend at his near post.

Welling travel to Basingstoke Town in the replay on Tuesday evening before the short trip to 5th placed Fisher Athletic on Boxing Day.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Come on you Wings!

Click Here for Interview with Adrian Pennock (2.0MB-Small File)

Extracts from the Interview:
"I think overall play we deserved the win especially first half. We just needed to be a little more ruthless in front of goal. I thought performance wise after going down to 10 men we done well and our fitness levels told.

Obviously with the sending off that is something I will have to deal with Jamie Day. I didn’t see anything but I spoke to the referee and linesmen that he spat at him.

I am really pleased for him (Matt Bodkin) but obviously disappointed as a manager. What I can’t do is stand in people’s way of going full time. I wish him all the best as he has been a real credit.

Jamie (Day) has been fantastic and we will really miss him, as he has been our top man this season. Christmas is always a big time but the boys have shown real character again today and it will be nice to pickup some points over the Christmas period. "