Although disappointed to concede a late equaliser, Welling United’s point against Dover Athletic ensured that they remained unbeaten throughout September.

They looked good for all three points when Manny Parry put them ahead with fourteen minutes remaining, but they conceded a late equaliser for the second consecutive match and had to settle for a draw. In fact, had it not been for three superb late saves from Myles Roberts, Dover would have completed a smash and grab raid.

That would have been tough on Welling as Dover didn’t have a shot on target until they equalised nine minutes from time and their only corner came after that.

Taofiq Olomowewe headed a Taylor Maloney corner over the bar for Welling early on, and that turned out to be the story of their evening.

Alfie Paxman fired high for Dover before a Maloney free kick was deflected into the arms of Dover goalkeeper Stuart Nelson. The impressive Amadou Kassarate crossed to the far post and picked out Ade Azeez, but he was crowded out and couldn’t direct his header on target.

Another Maloney free kick picked out Olomowewe, but he headed wide before Dover had a rare opportunity with a free kick of their own that Lee Martin fired well over.

Early in the second half, a deep Maloney corner found Olomowewe, but he was unable to head it back across goal before a Kassarate cross was headed over by Stefan Payne. Chike Kandi attempted a curler towards the top corner for Dover, but it flew over before James Dunne was more accurate at the other end, but Nelson did brilliantly to tip it over.

From the resulting corner, Welling went ahead. Parry lost his man and met Maloney’s delivery with a crisp low volley that gave Nelson no chance.

However, five minutes later Dover levelled. Kandi broke free, held off his man, and fired low past Myles Roberts in the Welling goal.

Maloney created an opening for Payne, but Nelson made a good low save then Kassarate set up Azeez but he side-footed wide of the far post.

At the other end, Luke Wanadio created a chance for himself and hit a twenty yarder that drew a brilliant save out of Roberts, and he the Welling goalkeeper was again called into action when Alfie Pavey met Paxman’s delivery with a firm downward header.

Chi Ezennolim almost won it for the Wings when he cut back in from the left wing and shot right footed from the edge of the area, but his effort hit the bar and went over then Anthony Papadopoulos arrived late but headed over.

Payne then almost stunned the Wings when showing great technique to strike a fierce volley to bring another outstanding save out of Roberts.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard (Papadopoulos 67), Ezennolim, Olomowewe (Aransibia 89), Sendles-White, Parry, Maloney, Dunne, Azeez, Payne, Kassarate. Subs not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Hyde, Francis.

 

As time ran out Maloney missed the near post with a free kick and Kassarate had the last opportunity but couldn’t garner sufficient power to beat Nelson.