Welling United 1-1 AFC Totton

FOLLOWING entertaining home matches on the previous two Saturday’s, Welling United put in a mediocre FA Trophy performance against an AFC Totton side from two leagues below them in the pyramid.

Earlier in the season they failed to see off Whyteleafe from the same level, taking an early lead but conceding a goal from a soft free-kick and history repeated itself on Saturday.

Due to floodlight problems, the game kicked off 15 minutes early and any Wings fans who turned up expecting a three o’clock start probably missed the best of the home teams’ play.

Welling were unable to play Sanchez Ming at Grays’ request, or Jack Parkinson, who was cup-tied while on loan at Margate.

Rob Quinn returned from suspension and new signing Lee Protheroe, recently released by St Albans City, filled in at right back.

Clark Masters has also returned to the club on loan, replacing Jamie Turner in goal, and was called into action early, making an easy save from Mark Osman.

Gareth Barfoot in the Totton goal was also called upon in the opening minutes, although he was not unduly troubled by a Loui Fazackerley shot after the Welling striker had turned Ryan Hill brilliantly.

The hosts went ahead in the 10th minute when Fazackerly gave Charlie Sheringham the opportunity for a shot at goal.

He made the most of it with a fierce effort which Barfoot could only help into the inside side netting.

Playing a goalkeeper who has only signed on the previous day can be risky and almost proved disastrous when Sonny Cobbs and Masters failed to communicate and it needed a hurried clearance by the stopper to save embarrassment.

James Baker should have been awarded a penalty for Welling when he was clearly pushed into the back and into Barfoot.

Referee Mr West awarded a free-kick to the visitors, much to the dismay of the home team’s players and bench.

Osman then spurned an excellent opening when played through by Mike Gosney, but he shot wide of the far post.

Good work by Sheringham got him to the byline, but the chance was lost when Lee Blackburn put the pull back high and wide when pressurised by a brave challenge from Ian Richardson.

Fazackerley then had a shot well saved before Osman missed another good opportunity.

Ross Bottomley received the first yellow card of the afternoon for a poor challenge on Blackburn before Mr West evened things up by booking Blackburn for a mistimed, but not bad tackle, on Bottomley.

When Adam Lang then kicked Blackburn in the stomach but escaped with no more than a quiet word, the visitors realised they could make the most of the referee’s lack of consistency.

Just before half-time Fazackerley was caught by an awful challenge, leaving the Welling man in a heap.

The official waved play on for Welling’s advantage but failed to take any action on the perpetrator after the attack had broken down.

As the whistle blew for half-time, the Welling front man was still prone and in need of attention and although he started the second half, it was clear he was struggling and seven minutes in was replaced by Orlando Smith.

Without Fazackerley, who had tormented Hill in particular, Welling struggled to create much and the visitors took control of the game.

Osman missed another chance when heading wide with a free header from a corner.

In a rare attacking moment, Protheroe over-hit a cross which almost caught Barfoot out as it clipped the top of the crossbar.

Matthew McEntegart and Tony Sinclair in the middle of the defence struggled all afternoon and when the former conceded a needless free-kick, he was punished with a yellow card and a goal as Gosney’s well-struck dead ball flew past Masters.

Ryan Johnson was replaced by Richard Stevens before Totton, and in particular Osman, wasted four good opportunities to win the match.

The centre forward was thwarted three times by Masters, although only on of them was tough, and he also screwed one wide.

Strangely, Totton were happy to waste time and take the replay when brave play might have seen them finish off the tie at the first opportunity.

Welling: Masters, Protheroe, Cobbs, Quinn, McEntegart, Sinclair, Fazackerley (O. Smith 52), Blackburn, Baker, Sheringham (Morgan 88), Johnson (Stevens 70). Subs not used: Turner, Richards. Att: 309.