There was further disappointment for Welling United as they fell to another Isthmian League Premier Division defeat, this time at Hashtag United.
That made it three defeats in a row since their victory over Canvey Island and, once more, there was a touch of controversy involved in the hosts’ winner from the penalty spot.
Earlier in the day, Welling announced that four players had been released and another’s loan had expired. Whilst it is often necessary at Non-League level to let players go in order to free up budget to allow for new signings, five going out and only goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle coming in seemed curious. They had only been able to name three substitutes in their match at Carshalton Athletic on Saturday so reducing the squad further was surprising.
Lee Martin brought in the returning McKenzie-Kyle for his second Welling debut, Christian Scott returned from illness and John Ufuah was fit enough to start. Aaron Bushell-Williams, Freddie Norman and Ruben Shakpoke dropped to the bench and were joined by Greg Cundle and TQ Addy.
Neither side created much in the opening half hour of their first ever meeting before Bradley Sach fired over for the hosts. Welling then created an opportunity when Zac Hambury chipped it in, Femi Akinwande hooked it on, and John Ufuah threw himself at it but couldn’t keep his header down.
Logan Dobbs had a header saved easily by Hashtag goalkeeper Jack Giddens then Scott blasted over before Luke May-Parrott drew an easy save out of McKenzie-Lyle then Evans Kouassi fired high.
Martin made a double change at half time with Shakpoke and Cundle replacing Hambury and Scott. However, before they had chance to settle, the hosts went ahead through May-Parrott who finished from close range.
Kouassi twice broke through but first fired wide before shooting powerfully but straight at McKenzie-Lyle who blocked it before Welling got it away.
May-Parrott went just wide with an overhead kick, however, it was Welling who were next to draw blood. Ufuah broke down the right, and seeing that there were no options inside, he went alone and fired home past Giddens.
McKenzie-Lyle made saves of varying difficulty from May-Parrott, Jason Ring and Matthew Wooldridge before making the best save of all to thwart Kouassi. When it came back out, Ring could only shoot beyond the far post.
It appeared that Welling might get away with a draw until the contentious penalty went against them with nine minutes remaining. Sach pushed Alfie Paxman into the line of a shot and it struck him on the arm and a spot kick was awarded. Sach took it himself and sent McKenzie-Lyle the wrong way.
Lekan Majoyegbe had a header saved easily by Giddens before Kouassi again fired wide after making the chance for himself at the other end. Deep into stoppage time Eze Ebuzoeme had a shot well held by the Hashtag custodian.
That was as close as Welling got to getting something out of the game and with just under a quarter of their league campaign completed, they find themselves in an uncomfortable position in the bottom four.
Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle; O’Neill (Bushell-Williams 54), Dobbs, Majoyegbe, Adjetey-Brew (Addy 83); Ebuzoeme; Hambury (Shakpoke 46), Paxman, Scott (Cundle 46), Ufuah; Akinwande. Sub not used: Norman.
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