Woking 3
Welling United 2
Saturday 4 February 2006

Wings boss Adrian Pennock made just the one change from the side that lost 1-0 away at Yeading. Rob Owen replaced Keith Rowland in midfield.

In front of a crowd of over 1000 it was the Wings that started the brightest creating numerous opportunities. After some solid work from Rob Owen a right wing cross from Lee Gledhill was dropped by keeper Shwan Jalal but luckily for Woking the Wings were unable to capitalise on his mistake. Minutes later and another cross this time from Leon Solomon on the left wing was glanced on by Rob Owen but his header flew just wide of the post.

The home side had the first real opportunity to take the lead 14 minutes into the game when a flick on by Craig McAllister set-up Justin Richards however his shot was superbly blocked by Jamie Turner.

The Wings took a deserved lead when 4 minutes later a Rob Owen header was fumbled by Woking keeper Shwan Jalal under the challenge of Che Stadhart and the ball dropped into the net. Woking were lucky not to have been reduced to 10 men when a two footed tackle on Matt Bodkin from Ian Selley was only judged worthy of a yellow from referee F Graham.

Nevertheless, the Wings doubled their lead on the half hour mark when an inch perfect pass from Jamie Day released Danny Kedwell who clinically slotted the ball home. However, in what turned out to be the turning point of the game, Woking pulled one back a minute later when Chris Sharpling's effort took a wicked deflection off Chris Moore and through the legs of Jamie Turner.

The second half was very much a one sided affair with the Wings often camped in their own half defending. Woking could have levelled the score 5 minutes into the second period when a Cards throw-in was only half cleared by Che Stadhart and the ball fell perfectly for Steven Ferguson but his volley flew miles over the bar.

This was a sign of things to come and the Cards equalised on 65 minutes when Tom Hutchinson flicked on a dubious Woking corner into the path of Craig McAllister who smashed the ball home from close range. There would then be further controversy when the referee judged Jamie Day to have handled inside the box and awarded Woking a penalty. Ian Selley stepped up to take the spot kick but Jamie Turner made a magnificent save to turn the ball round the post.

The Wings went close to restoring their lead when Chris Moore headed a Jamie Day free kick just wide of the post and then minutes later Danny Kedwell hit a fierce low shot straight at the Woking keeper.

With the final whistle approaching, a draw now looked inevitable. However, the game ended in heartbreak for the Wings with Woking scoring the winner in the last minute of the game. A high ball from Karim El-Salahi was headed on by Ferguson and Tom Hutchinson was there to bundle the ball home from close range.

For any neutrals watching this was a great spectacle for the FA Trophy but as a Wings fan I feel nothing but injustice. Welling played some super football and controlled for many periods of the game. However, positives can be taken from this match as it's clear the Wings have the ability to give any side a run for their money.

With two big games coming up in the next few days, it will be a vital week for the Wings but if they play like they did today I'm sure we can get something out of both of them.

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