Welling United 0-1 Fisher Athletic

WELLING United received a hostile reception from their fans after yet another poor performance resulted in the Wings extending their goal drought to six Blue Square South games.

The home side last managed a league win on November 3, but injuries haven't helped under-fire boss Neil Smith, who found himself being booed by his own fans when he replaced Jerome Boyce with 20 minutes to go.

Lloyd Blackman was also booed throughout the first half, forcing Neil Smith to substitute him just 33 minutes in.

Welling were never in the game and all of the first half chances fell to the visitors.

On 15 minutes, Mark Wright had his free-kick saved by Jamie Turner and the Welling goalkeeper was already starting to work overtime as he denied Jeff Goulding's header just a minute later.

Goulding then squandered another great chance as a cross from Simon Jackson found him totally unmarked six yards out, but he somehow managed to head straight to Turner.

Welling were particularly all at sea in their attacking play and this was shown when Charles Ademeno struck the ball from nearly 40 yards and, unsurprisingly, it just about reached Simon Overland in the Fisher goal.

The visitors got their reward for a dominant first half display in controversial fashion. Welling felt the game should have been stopped as Joe Howe, who came on to replace Blackman, was on the floor in agony.

Fisher played on and a Shaun Batt pass fed Goulding, who made no mistake this time as he coolly slotted home into the far corner.

Howe was then forced to be replaced by Rory Hill on 42 minutes.

Welling looked for a second half reaction after a stinging team-talk from assistant manager Stuart Nethercott, but even though they managed to stem the flow of Fisher chances, they lacked any sort of creativity.

Their best chance came when Ellis Remy stuck out a foot and deflected Richard Carpenter's shot wide of the far post.

The most significant piece of action in a drab second half where the visitors seemed to totally shut out the hosts was when Rory Hill was sent off in the 89th minute for a two-footed tackle, which seemed like a harsh decision on the youngster.

Welling's standout performer had to be Turner, who kept the scoreline respectable. But apart from fairly decent individual performances from Robbie Ryan, John Wilfort and Remy, the home side were yet again very poor.

Their defending at times was a shambles, but it was much better than their attacking and creative play.

Next up for Welling is another home game this Saturday when they host Thurrock in the Blue Square South.

Meanwhile, the Setanta Shield fourth round tie against Grays, which was called off last Friday evening due to fog, will be played on January 15 subject to the visitors being involved in an FA trophy tie.

Welling: Turner, Solomon, Ryan, Carpenter, Ohakam, Wilfort, Green, Boyce (Neil Smith 65), Remy, Ademeno, Blackman (Howe 33, Hill 42). Subs not used: Powell, Boakye. Att: 603