In a five goal thriller, Welling United came home empty handed when when visiting in-form Chippenham Town.

Despite having several absences for various reasons, Welling still pushed their hosts all the way and were unfortunate to come home empty handed. James Dunne joined Sadiq Balarade, Medy Elito, Daniel Nkrumah and Myles Roberts on the injury list, Sam Cox and Kai McKenzie-Lyle were still away on international duty, whilst Amadou Kassarate and Stefan Payne continued to miss out with suspensions.

Bare bones Welling still came out the quicker and had the first opportunity when Dylan Gavin collected a pass for which he looked to be second favourite, turned a surprised Ollie Tomlinson, and made space to fire a shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Moments later, Welling went ahead. Christie Pattisson’s skills allowed him to work his way out of a crowd scene by the touchline and his deep cross picked out Taylor Maloney who volleyed home in style.

Five minutes later. The Bluebirds levelled with their first attack. Joe Parker was found in space to advance and his twenty yard effort squeezed in at the near post.

Warren Feeney’s Wings continued to have more of the possession and territorial advantage but the hosts were dangerous on the break and Owen Windsor shot over before they went ahead. Matt McClure found room in the penalty area and he gave Yusuf Mersin no chance with a clinical finish.

McClure might have added another before half time but clipped his volley wide.

As they had done in the first half, Welling came out of the blocks quickly after the break and levelled seven minutes into the second half. The Wings felt that they should have had a penalty in the first half when Pattisson’s cross was handled in the area, but the officials were unmoved. However, there was no denying them when Chi Ezennolim worked his way to the bye-line. He crossed low and hit the arm of Spencer Hamilton who had thrown himself into the line of it.

Maloney stepped up, despite having had his last one saved, and his accuracy was too good for Will Henry, even though he had gone the right way. Chippenham made an immediate substitution, taking off captain Hamilton who had already been cautioned.

Parker hit a long range shot wide, but Welling still looked the better team and came close when Cameron Andrews set up Gavin and his fierce drive hit the side netting with Henry floundering.

However, they were hit on the counter with eighteen minutes remaining. Ed Williams was given too much time and space in the Welling penalty area, and he took full advantage when firing home.

Substitute Kyrell Lisbie tried to restore parity with a long solo run through the heart of the Chippenham defence but his shot lacked the power to bother Henry.

Luke Russe fired over for the Bluebirds, but one last chance for Welling came and went when a well marked Kodi Lyons-Foster’s header floated harmlessly wide.

Feeney will hope to have some of his missing players back on Saturday when they entertain Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Welling United: Mersin, Howard, Ezennolim, Parry, Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Pattisson, Andrews (Lisbie 81), Azeez, Gavin, Maloney (Barnes 70). Sub not used: Curran, Papadopoulos, Vendrells-Parcerisa.