Welling United 1
Cambridge City 1
Saturday 15 October 2005

With five players out due to injury, illness or suspension Adrian Pennock had to shuffle the pack for this match.

The game also saw the return of former Wings favourite striker Paul Booth, who scored a total of 60 goals over three seasons with the club. With a hat-trick at Hitchin last week it was clear that he is still a formidably goal scorer and an asset to his new club!

The first half was one of few chances, with neither side dominating. Danny Kedwell had the majority of the Wings chances, the first being a shot across the goal and shortly later a header which went wide of the post.

The closest chance for the Wings in the first half fell to James Pinnock when a corner was punched clear by former Welling keeper Nasibitt to the feet of Pinnock, who hit the ball with power just over the bar.

The pace of the second half was a much livelier, with an abundance of chances for both sides. Matt Bodkin hit a perfect cross from the left wing to Danny Kedwell, he nodded the ball into the path of James Pinnock who's shot went agonisingly past the far post.

Then it was City's, turn who caught Welling on the break, a long ball from inside their own half fell to Josh Simpson who headed the ball into the path of oncoming Paul Booth. Turning the Welling defence inside out, he made a great opening only to drag his shot wide to the delight of the Wings fans.

Booth then had another great chance to put Cambridge ahead. Steve Perkins brought down Paul Booth on the edge of the area and City were awarded a free kick. Booth took the free-kick quickly, requiring Jamie Turner to scramble across his line to brilliantly parry the shot but only back in to the danger zone. This give a Craig Dobson an opportunity to hit a ferocious shot which was cleared off the line by Leon Solomon.

With opportunities being created for both sides a goal felt inevitable. However, it was a controversial refereeing that also provided a element of drama when Naisbitt rushed out of his area to try and claim back the ball from a defensive mix up with a dangerous and reckless challenge on Kedwell. To the dismay of the home supporters Naisbitt was only shown a yellow card and the Wings awarded free kick.

A goal finally arrived in favour of the Cambridge on 71st minute, when a poor pass from Bodkin was intercepted, allowing Paul Booth to set-up Craig Dobson, who hit a fierce shot into the bottom corner. Having taken the lead at such a crucial time it looked like Welling were heading to their second defeat of the season.

However, with only two minutes left on the clock, Danny Kedwell equalised for the Wings. Substitute Che Stadhart crossed the ball into the box and after some scrappy defending the ball fell to Kedwell who smashed the ball spectacularly into the top corner.

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