Eastbourne Borough 1-0 Welling United
It turned out to be just one of those nights for Welling United in their opening away fixture of the season. Despite dominating for long periods and creating several chances, The Wings slipped to defeat in Sussex.
In the opening exchanges Arnaud Mendy saw a goal bound shot cleared away after a Mark Smith punch fell kindly to him.
Eastbourne had a sniff at goal shortly after when new signing Dean Cox failed to keep a difficult half volley down that went well over the bar.
Danny Mills did well to make any contact on a deep Nassim L’Ghoul cross,but the outstretched leg of Mills could only divert the ball wide.
However in the 19th minute, Eastbourne scored the crucial goal, Sergio Torres won the ball cheaply in midfield and played in Lloyd Dawes, the striker beat the offside trap and coolly slotted past Dan Wilks.
The Wings almost struck back immediately, Jack Jebb produced a wonderful free kick which was flicked on by L’Ghoul the header cannoed off the post, only for Thierry Audel to smash the ball over the bar.
Just 5 minutes later and Welling hit the frame of the goal again, this time it was the bar, Danny Mills cleverly hooked a long throw goalwards that smashed against the bar, with Smith beaten L’Ghoul looked certain to follow up the rebound but wildy slashed the ball over, as Welling lacked composure in front of goal.
Welling continued to be on top and Ihaja saw an effort deflect wide but The Wings headed into the break a goal behind.
The 2nd half was more of the same with Welling doing all the pressing and Eastbourne happy to sit on the lead and try and counter when they could.
Theirry Audel did well to meet a Jebb corner and his header was going in until keeper Smith clawed the ball over the bar.
Eastbourne picked their moment to break and in doing so the ball fell to Ryan Hall but his dipping and swerving shot was well saved by Dan Wilks who had been a spectator for much of the 2nd half up until that point.
The Wings made changes to the side and Kissock cam on and his trickery helped drive Welling up the pitch. Jebb swiped a half volley over as The Wings continued to huff and puff in search of a way back into the game.
With the game reaching its final quarter Braham Barrett did well in reaching the byline before standing up a cross that Brendan Kiernan just failed to put his header the right side of the post.
The Wings must have started to get the feeling it was going to be one of those nights when a goal mouth scramble that just needed a touch from a blue shirt eventually found Jebb but he blazed over as again The Wings lacked composure at the vital moment.
The Wings had one last ditch attempt but Danny Mills could only steer Craig Braham-Barrett cross over the bar.
So a thoroughly frustrating night for Welling and on another night they could have quite easily been celebrating a well earned 3 points.
The Wings travel to Chippenham Town on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways.
