4:16pm Sunday 14th March 2010
By Mark Doig
THREE second half headers were enough to ensure Welling United took all the points from their visit to troubled Weymouth.
Jamie Day was able to name an unchanged team from the one that defeated Havant & Waterlooville whilst a player exodus at Weymouth meant many changes were necessary from their previous match.
Carl Foster was the first player to register a shot on target but his effort was saved comfortably by Welling goalkeeper Charlie Mitten.
Tommy Whitnell thought he had headed the Wings in front but he was flagged offside as Welling fought back.
Mitten was again called into action saving at the feet of Shane Evans, taking a knock for his troubles, before Welling took command creating and missing a host of chances.
Day had a free kick pushed away by Tim Sandercombe, Lee Clarke combined with Day before firing over and Sam Hurrell had a shot pushed round the post after good work from the lively Loui Fazakerley.
Dean Cracknell hit a first time shot over, Clarke had a shot deflected wide and a goalmouth scramble was not converted by Graeme Andrews or Whitnell with the ball somehow ending up in Sandercombe’s hands.
Sam Cutler put in an excellent cross that Clarke headed wide as the half somehow finished goal-less.
Welling finally went ahead from a corner after Hurrell’s effort was pushed around the post by Sandercombe.
A perfect delivery by Day allowed Clarke to rise and flick his header into the net.
Fazakerley was thwarted by Jamie Frampton’s goal line clearance and Michael Deane saw his shot saved before Welling doubled their lead.
Another Day corner was met by Dean Cracknell who headed powerfully into the back of the net.
Clarke and Fazakerley both failed to find the target before Welling brought on Lamine Sagna for Whitnell and then Tony Finn for Hurrell.
Finn had a shot saved before Weymouth had their only real chance of the second half.
Foster’s cross found Tom Richardson but he screwed his shot wide when in a great position.
That proved to be Weymouth’s last chance and Andrews and Jack Parkinson were able to enjoy a relatively easy last 20 minutes.
At the other end Fazakerley continued to torment Scott Dixon registering an incredible seven shots at goal of which five were on target, before being replaced by Jake Hobbs in the 85th minute.
There was still time for further Welling chances and another wonderful cross by Cutler was headed against the bar by Clarke and then Finn was foiled by Sandercombe for the third time.
As the game went into injury time, the visitors finally notched their third goal when Hobbs’ free kick was headed home by Clarke.
The Welling front man will be kicking himself for not completing his hat-trick two minutes later. Ryan McKechnie handled in the penalty area but Clarke crashed his spot kick against the crossbar.
Welling United: Mitten, Cutler, Deane, Day, Andrews, Parkinson, Fazakerley (Hobbs 85), Cracknell, Whitnell (Sagna 63), Clarke, Hurrell (Finn 67). Subs not used: Omogbehin, Bakare.
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