Welling United 2-2 Thurrock

A SOMEWHAT improved showing from the home side still resulted in the Wings failing to pick up three valuable points against fellow strugglers Thurrock on Saturday.

Welling certainly looked better going forward than they have done in recent weeks, but the usual glimpses of shoddy defending and missing clear-cut chances led to more frustration for manager Neil Smith.

This was shown on 11 minutes when Richard Carpenter's free-kick was saved before Charles Ademeno missed the ball as he attempted to fire home with the keeper on the floor.

The first episode of "what not to do as a defender" came just a minute later when John Wilfort tried a backward glancing header to Jamie Turner, but he left it well short and was relieved to see Che Stadhart put his shot over the bar.

Welling started brightly, but there was still a continuing threat from Stadhart in the air and on 15 minutes it was two former Wings who were involved as Thurrock broke the deadlock.

A cross from Matt Bodkin on the left found Stadhart, who got in between Chris Moore and John Wilfort before guiding his header into the bottom corner past Turner.

Welling, though, didn't let their heads drop and hit back with two goals in six minutes.

The first came on 20 minutes as a cross from Ellis Green found Ellis Remy, who smashed his shot past David Blackmore at the second attempt.

Goal number two arrived when Carpenter took a quick free-kick, which found Orlando Smith at the far post.

Orlando Smith produced the type of finish the Wings had failed to find since early November as he fired his shot into the top corner.

Welling then had a great chance to double their lead when Neil Smith headed Carpenter's cross onto the bar five minutes before half-time.

The second half was a real end-to-end scrap between two struggling sides fighting for three points.

On 61 minutes, Wilfort nearly made up for his earlier mistake when he thundered a free-kick from Carpenter against the underside of the bar.

Welling were awarded a penalty one minute later when the referee seemed to refer to a handball by a Thurrock defender.

However, Blackmore pulled off a wonderful save to deny Green as Stuart Nethercott was left with his hands on his head on the touchline.

Welling were then punished for over-committing as a quick break led to Michael Malcolm, who had earlier hit the post, firing his shot in with the aid of a deflection off Sam Keevil.

Welling's scheduled home game against Newport County on January 12 is off because the Wings' opponents are involved in the FA Trophy on the same date.

Welling: Turner, Ohakam, Ryan, Carpenter, Moore, Wilfort, Green (Hill 90), Neil Smith (Keevil 71), Remy, Ademeno (Blackman 85), Orlando Smith. Subs not used: Powell, Boakye. Att: 464