Welling suffer further away day woes (From News Shopper)

Welling suffer further away day woes

12:23am Sunday 15th January 2012 in Welling By Mark Doig

DISJOINTED Welling United stumbled to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at in-form Weston-super-Mare.

After a bright opening, Welling conceded in the 16th minute and rarely looked like getting anything out of the game after that against an uncompromising home team.

Missing Joe Healy through suspension and injured Jack Obersteller, Loick Pires and Andy Pugh, Welling’s squad was so threadbare that Jamie Day was only able to name three substitutes and had players taking up positions that were not their preferred ones.

Day’s early free kick evaded everyone and bounced up awkwardly enough to need a tip over from Weston goalkeeper Lloyd Irish Ryan Dolby, making his first full appearance in his second spell with the Wings, then shot wide after a tricky run took him past two defenders.

Kane Ingram shot over in Weston’s first real attack following good work from Sahr Kabba and Ben Kirk then shot wide when well placed.

Andy Sambrook was cautioned for a foul but may have considered it to have been rather harsh, especially bearing in mind some of the hosts’ aggressive challenges later on that did not receive similar punishment.

Although Weston had a goal disallowed for offside they were soon ahead when Kabba burst down the right wing before cutting in and netting from an acute angle.

Loui Fazakerley and Dean Cracknell then combined well but the latter’s well struck shot was straight at Irish who held on comfortably.

In the 37th minute, Weston doubled their lead when Sambrook was adjudged to have fouled in the penalty area and Nat Pepperell converted the spot kick clinically.

Day’s frustration proved too much as he talked his way into the referee’s notebook.

Luis Cumbers hit a shot at Irish and Jack Parkinson saw a shot blocked for a corner by Jamie Price as Welling tried to lift their game before the break.

Early in the second half Lee Clarke had a shot saved by Irish and Kane Ingram’s effort for Weston was claimed by Welling custodian Nick Pope.

Matt Villis brought down Cumbers and a scuffle broke out as the Weston defenders manhandled the Welling players awaiting the cross. Once all had settled down, Day tried to fool Irish at his near post but failed to hit the target.

Warren McBean was introduced for his Welling debut, in place of Dolby, and almost made an immediate impact.

Having worked himself a shooting chance, McBean saw his first effort come back off Irish’s right shin before chipping delicately but just over the bar.

Jamie Laird’s crude challenge from behind on Day was not even punished with a free kick by referee Tim Wood to provide another example of his inconsistent officiating.

Ben Greenhalgh came on for Cracknell to make his first appearance in his second spell for Welling as the visitors pushed to try and get something out of the game.

Jack Evans hit a fine shot just wide and Ben Martin had a shot blocked away by Price.

Either side of the Martin effort, Weston substitutes, Chris Young and veteran Marc McGregor were cautioned.

Despite a strong finish, Welling were unable to break down the resolute Weston defence, and the hosts held out for a relatively comfortable win.

Welling United: Pope, Evans, Sambrook, Cracknell (Greenhalgh 69), Parkinson, Martin, Fazakerley, Clarke, Cumbers, Day, Dolby (McBean 55). Unused substitute: Acheampong.