2:50pm Sunday 21st March 2010
By Mark Doig
DEAN Cracknell ‘s hat-trick helped Welling United record their fourth consecutive victory although visitors Maidenhead United pushed them all the way.
Physical sides have proved difficult for Welling at Park View Road this season but patience while continuing to play good football proved decisive in the end.
Ashley Smith was cautioned after just two minutes for an awful tackle as Maidenhead gave their hosts the first signs of their attempts to rough them up.
Evergreen Welling goalkeeper Charlie Mitten was called into action soon afterwards producing a brilliant save to keep out Sam Collins’ effort.
In the 12th minute the visitors went ahead when Alex Wall’s cross from a short corner was turned in by an unmarked Kieran Knight.
Sam Hurrell was clattered by a challenge that went unpunished as Maidenhead assumed control.
Smith shot over from distance and although a Lee Clarke deflected effort and a Tommy Whitnell flick on from a Jamie Day ball counted as attempts on target, they did not cause Maidenhead custodian Chris Tardif undue difficulties.
Bobby Behzadi had a shot from outside the penalty area saved by Mitten, and the Wings’ goalkeeper was again called into action after Loui Fazakerley’s misguided pass to Sam Cutler was collected by Knight.
Clarke was unlucky to be shown a yellow card when challenging Mark Nisbet for a high ball. The Magpies captain certainly made a meal of the collision.
Wall had two difficult chances just before half time first lobbing Mitten but seeing his effort drift wide and then almost catching Welling out from a tight angle but again failing to hit the target.
Deep into first half stoppage time, Welling punished their visitors for failing to extend their lead with an equaliser.
Day spread the ball wide to Michael Deane and his fine pass into the area found Whitnell. The Wings’ leading scorer headed across Tardif and Cracknell was on hand to help the ball over the line.
Things could have got worse for the visitors when Fazakerley led another attack but a last gasp tackle by Jack Bradshaw thwarted him with team-mates well placed.
At half time Carl Jenkinson replaced Graeme Andrews but Mitten was soon called into action again saving from Wall.
Maidenhead were reduced to ten men shortly after when last man Nevin Saroya brought down Whitnell who was through on goal and Welling claimed control of the game.
Whitnell set up Clarke but although Tardif fumbled the effort there was nobody on hand to take advantage and the Maidenhead keeper was able to smother the loose ball.
Hurrell then came close but just failed to find the target from Clarke’s pull back.
Michale Bakare replaced Hurrell then soon after Tamer Tuna came on for his Welling debut in place of Whitnell.
Welling had a glorious chance to take the lead in the 77th minute.
Fazakerley’s corner found Clarke who had made space for himself cleverly but he headed wide of the target.
Although Bradshaw got away with a blatant handball in the Welling penalty area, the Wings went ahead in the 83rd minute.
Despite being manhandled, Fazakerley worked his way free of his marker and his cross was inch perfect for Cracknell to rise and head powerfully past Tardif.
Two minutes later the game was made safe. Clarke was brought down by Marcus Rose in the penalty area and the striker selflessly gave up his spot kick duties to allow his mate Cracknell to send Tardif the wrong way thus earning him the match-ball.
Maidenhead fell apart and Jack Parkinson headed wide from a Bakare corner, and Cracknell and Fazakerley both had shots saved by Tardif.
Welling United: Mitten, Cutler, Deane, Day, Andrews (Jenkinson 46), Parkinson, Fazakerley, Clarke, Whitnell (Tuna 69), Cracknell, Hurrell (Bakare 64). Subs not used: Hobbs, Omogbehin.
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