Dartford FC 1-0 Welling United
Goal shy Welling suffered late heartbreak as Dartford turned the tables on their Boxing Day defeat. It was a performance that deserved more, but Welling’s inconsistency in front of goal must be a concern to Manager Steve King as they suffered back to back 1-0 defeats.
As expected Dartford started with a far more attacking line up came out fast at Welling and Charlie Sheringham brought a fine save from Dan Wilks from close range.
Welling suffered a real setback in the 6th minute as Nassim L’Ghoul pulled up with a hamstring injury as Welling’s injuries woes showed no sign of letting up. However just a minute later they should have taken the lead. Kiernan done well to stand up a cross, Anau was on hand to head but put his header wide from close range with Vose rooted.
The game settled down after a frenetic start, Phil Roberts hitting a long range effort straight at Wilks. Back came the Wings and only brave defending stopped Kiernan when he looked set to score.
Welling were on top and Kiernan ghosted in at the back post but he saw his header cleared off the line. Newton who came on for the injured L’Ghoul shot wide after good play from Mills. Just on the half hour mark Zac Newton had the ball in the net after beating Vose to the ball with a header but he was adjudged to be offside. Another chance fell to Anau but he arrowed a shot just wide.
Right on half time, Dartford had their best chance of the game, hitting the post before Welling hacked the ball away to safety as it was goalless at half time.
Welling started the 2nd half brightly and Anau again whistled a shot over from range. Ben Greenhalgh had a free kick in a good position which not only went over but went out the ground. All of Welling’s attacking play was going though Julien Anau and he got into a good position but Vose did well to push away his effort.
Newton was next to go close as Welling continued to pile forward. The ball fell to Newton who tried to poke it past Bailey Vose but the keeper stood tall.
Rooney then had another effort drift just wide from range as it seemed only a mater of time before Welling scored. Goldberg then saw a shot deflected wide for a corner, before Dartford had a big chance. They countered and a smart move was played to Lee Noble but he blazed over the bar.
For all Welling’s dominance they were being restricted to long shots and Kissock saw a shot heading in deflected wide.
Dartford perhaps sensing this may now be their game, started to hit the ball long in the hope of winning free kicks or corners and their goal came 9 minutes in time from a set piece. A scramble in the Welling box fell kindly to Ronnie Vint and the defender was on hand to poke the ball home to put the home side ahead.
Welling scratching their heads at being behind piled forward in the hope of salvaging a draw, a series of corners came to nothing. In the 90th minute David Ijaha seeing a goal bound effort scrambled off the line but the home side held out. The Wings were left to lick their wounds and look back on all the missed opportunities they had in the game.
Welling return to PVR on Saturday as Truro are the visitors.
