Whilst their league form has been disappointing, Welling United’s results in first the F.A. Cup and now the F.A. Trophy have good runs in both.
On Saturday, they entertained runaway Vanarama National League leaders Chesterfield who fielded a very youthful side.
Danny Bloor, Welling’s manager, was also forced into playing a young front two due to Adam Roscrow’s withdrawal an hour before kick off. Enoch Muwonge was given a start alongside seventeen year old David Kamara and the pair gave the visitors’ back four a tough afternoon.
Antony Papadopoulos and Chiori Johnson were both off target before Bloor was faced with another hurdle to overcome when recent signing Johnson limped off with what is hoped to be a strained hamstring rather than anything more serious. Jack Burchell was introduced after his own spell out injured.
Another Papadopoulos’ shot flew wide, Muwonge had an effort blocked, and Kamara’s header from Cameron Green’s cross skimmed beyond the far post before Chesterfield goalkeeper Luke Chadwick was called upon to make a save. Although Kamara couldn’t get a shot away, it fell for Lachlan Byrd whose prod was kicked off the line in an unorthodox manner by Chadwick.
TJ Bramble shot just wide from twenty yards before Chadwick made a more conventional save with his foot to keep out Papadopoulos as he burst through.
Ben Rossiter had a rare sight of goal for Chesterfield but scuffed his shot wide before Chadwick was again in action when scrambling Kamara’s shot round the post, and then saving Byrd’s header.
In the sixth minute of the second half, Welling went ahead. Lema Crossley crossed to Kamara who brought it down well before turning and firing into the roof of the net.
Muwonge and Bramble both had shots deflected wide before the former had an effort saved and the latter had a goal-bound attempt blocked in the six yard box by Ryley D’Sena.
Seven minutes remained when Muwonge scored the crucial second goal. Burchell’s deep free kick found Ike Orji out wide and he headed across goal. Muwonge put D’Sena under pressure and he couldn’t clear. That allowed the Welling striker to make space for himself before firing home.
Chesterfield did manage to get a shot on target in injury time but Reice Charles-Cook got down well to save from Liam Jessop and maintain his first clean sheet since returning to the club.
Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema (Orji 77), Green, Grant, Johnson (Burchell 21), Byrd, Bramble, Odusanya (Okunola 84), Kamara, Muwonge. Papadopoulos. Sub not used: Pitterson, Curran, Bridgeman.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here