Hemel Hempstead 1-1 Welling United
Gavin McCallum rescued Welling with a late goal to earn a point against ten men Hemel Hempstead on Saturday. It was a better performance from The Wings but they will have felt frustrated at having to rely on a late goal to rescue a point.
In a quiet opening it wasn’t until the 22nd minute that Bradley Goldberg had the first chance of the game. The striker forcing Laurie Walker into a save at the near post.
L’Ghoul replaced the luckless Jordan Gibbons who had to go off injured, and he hit a wild effort wide from long range.
Scott Shulton headed over a deep corner as Hemel started to make in roads into the game.
Parkes saw a shooting opportunity but Wilks did well to save.
With 4 minutes until half time stand in right back Thierry Audel burst forward and played the ball to L’Ghoul who burst clear only to be crudely fouled with a cynical and dangerous tackle by Kyle Connolly which rightly saw him sent off with a straight red.
Into the second half and as expected Welling showed more attacking intent, L’Ghoul again blazing over from range.
Bradley Goldberg then shot wide when well placed.
New signing Luke Rooney had a shot through a crowded area deflected wide for a corner.
It was all one way traffic as again Goldberg shot wide this time from the edge of the area.
A long ball out to L’Ghoul seem to be going out but some how the Frenchman managed to flick it into the path of Thierry Audel and with him clear he could only shoot straight at Walker.
Welling did have the ball in the net but after clever play from Goldberg, he was ruled offside.
These missed chances came back to haunt Welling as against the run of play. Hemel took an unlikely lead.
Welling failed to clear their lines and Parkes managed to clip the ball through to Shulton who beat Wilks from close range.
L’Ghoul was fouled just on the edge of the area although it was mightily close to being inside.
Wilks then made a routine save from a Parkes free kick. Before Welling equalised in the 86th minute with a fortuitous goal. Gavin McCallum whipped in a cross that evaded everyone and went in via the post.
Welling now went in search of a winner Goldberg forcing a super save from Walker before, deep into injury time Danny Mills controlled a cross with his chest but fired wide as The Wings had to settle for a point.
The Wings now face Dartford on Boxing Day at PVR kick off 1pm.
