10:00am Monday 19th October 2009
By Mark Doig
BIZARRE refereeing was the main feature of Welling United’s visit to Chelmsford City on Saturday, as Mr Ian Bentley set out to make himself the star of the show with a series of one sided decisions.
This was the second league game in a row the Wings had suffered an eccentric official seemingly keen on favouring their opponents.
Lee Protheroe, in his first game as caretaker manager, made two changes to the starting line up to the one knocked out of the FA Cup at Dover on the preceding Saturday, bringing in Andy Sambrook in place of himself and Loui Fazakerley for Steffan Gaisie.
After Antonio Murray had seen his hopeful long range effort gathered by Welling keeper Charlie Mitten, the Wings took control and went ahead with a well-worked goal on eight minutes.
Anthony Finn beat two players before crossing to Fazakerley, who had left marker Michael Haswell in no mans land.
Although Craig Holloway made a brave save at Fazakerley’s feet, the rebound came out to captain Jack Parkinson who made no mistake by firing home gleefully.
As Welling continued to press, a Chelmsford break saw Rob Edmans over-run the ball as Sambrook challenged.
The referee appeared to be preparing to show Sambrook a yellow card before being persuaded to consult his assistant.
Incredibly, he then showed a red card even though there is no way the foul prevented a goal scoring opportunity.
Despite being one man short Welling continued to press and a Michale Bakare free-kick almost caught Holloway out before he made an easy save from a Sam Hurrell miss hit.
Holloway had to be withdrawn on the half hour following a knock suffered apparently when saving from Fazakerley. He was replaced by Ashley Harrison.
Against the run of play, Chelmsford equalised on 43 minutes when Bakare’s challenge on Anthony Cook on the edge of the 18 yard box gave the referee the opportunity to award a penalty.
Dave Rainford slammed the spot kick home off the underside of the crossbar.
On the stroke of half-time the numbers should have been levelled, but amazingly Cook was only shown yellow for his elbow on Parkinson.
At the start of the second half the Welling players, bench and supporters became incensed as Adrian Stone burst into the area, only to be stopped by Steve Ward pulling the ball away with his hand.
Incredibly, neither the referee or assistant took any action.
Fazakerley was shown a yellow before Chelmsford took the lead.
Although Edmans scuffed his close range effort, it struck the inside of the post before crossing the line.
Harrison did well to punch the ball off Stone’s head as Welling’s attempts to find an equaliser became less frequent.
Harsh yellow cards were shown to Welling’s Steve King and Chelmsford’s John Martin, neither of which seemed worthy of more than a free-kick.
Edmans broke through again, only to be thwarted by an excellent last-ditch tackle from Graeme Andrews as Chelmsford looked to extend their lead.
King was then shown a second yellow for another foul on Edmans, reducing Welling to nine men, while Ryan Johnson was cautioned for dissent.
Hurrell appeared to be attacked midway in the Chelmsford half by substitute Matthew Lock in the final minute and as the referee was ensuring there was no retaliation, incredibly he allowed Chelmsford to break away and for Murray to put the result beyond doubt.
The standing ovation given to the officials by the Chelmsford supporters at the end spoke volumes and Protheroe will have been pleased by the effort put in by his team against the odds, if not the overall result.
Welling United: Mitten, Sambrook, Bakare (Gaisie 76), Parkinson, Andrews, King, Fazakerley (Hobbs 85), Johnson, Stone (Whitnell 85), Finn, Hurrell. Subs not used: Blackburn, Deane. Att: 1,048.
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