Welling United 1
Charlton Athletic 1
14 July 2005

The annual pre-season friendly between Welling United and Charlton Athletic is a chance for the Managers to give their squad a good run out in front of a capacity crowd. Only one player has remained in the squad since last years embarrassing annihilation, Jamie Day. So Welling fielded a completely different side, one with new faces and new expectations.

As many had already predicted the starting line-up, it came as no surprise to see Pennock's starting 11. Pennock gave debuts to all his new summer signings, with one even signing on the day of the match, Che Stadhart but missed out due to injury. Alan Curbishley as expected fielded a strong Charlton side, handing debuts to Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose as well as the returning Chris Powell at left back.

Again as expected it was Charlton that had the better of the chances but Welling were rarely tested, with the defense holding firm under the pressure from the Premiership side. Turner making his debut in goal was having a great game, stopping any efforts that came his way. Both Matt Holland and Darren Bent had chances to put the Addicks in front but again Jamie Turner couldn't be beaten. Jeffers had a great chance to put the visitors one up but his thunderous shot was well held by Turner.

The home side had their chances but never looked like taking the lead. The Wings were pretty much in total control and were keeping the Addicks at bay. Some nice link up play between Pinnock and Clarke showed some early signs of decent football. In some cases the Wings were outclassing the Premiership side, putting the ageing Powell under increasing pressure. Clarke had two chances comfortably saved by Kiely but it was clear this new Wings side was a vast improvement on last year!

Second half as expected Curbishley fielded a completely different side, one that started to test Turner a lot more. Rommedahl and Thomas were single handedly lifting the Addicks with some sublime skills and deadly crosses. After a total of seven substitutions from Pennock, handing debuts to a number of trailists, Welling found themselves in front against the Premiership side. Ben White, and Matt Carruthers linked up on the right wing before Carruthers hit a low fierce shot past the stranded Andersen into the bottom corner.

As anticipated Charlton came fighting back and it was one-way traffic for the remainder of the match. Yet Jamie Turner continue to stand strong in the Welling goal saving anything Charlton had to throw at him. But with 10 minutes remaining Jamie Turner was left beaten as Jason Euell hit a ferocious volley from the edge of the box but the shot struck the underside of the bar. Charlton were coming closer and closer to leveling the score and moments later they did. After his first effort was saved Euell picked up the ball and at the near post chipped the ball over Turner and the arriving Young only had to prod the ball home to level the score.

Charlton Athletic

Kiely, Kishishev, Powell, Ricketts, Fortune, Ambrose, Holland, Hughes, Sam, Jeffers, Bent

Second half: Andersen, Young, Youga, Perry, Spector, Murphy, Rommedahl, Euell, Thomas, Johansson, Walker.

Welling United

Turner, Gledhill, Moore, Shearer, Lee,
Carruthers, Day, Owen, Clarke, Kedwell, Pinnock,

Subs:
Watts, White, Gardner, Hockey, Lawson, Marsden



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