By Mark Doig at Leylands Park
THERE was late heartbreak again for Welling United as they fell to defeat at Burgess Hill Town after conceding twice in stoppage time.
It was the fourth time this season that Welling have lost Isthmian League Premier Division points in time added on, and the second time in eight days. At Lewes, they conceded in the twelfth additional minute, at Aveley in the first minute of additional time, and at home to Dartford in the fifth minute. Each turned a draw into a defeat.
However, at Burgess Hill, it was even worse. The Wings were one-nil up when the board went up showing ten more minutes to be played and they conceded in the ninety-first minute, and then again eight minutes later.
Ryan Maxwell’s Wings started brightly and Lekan Majoyegbe, back from suspension, went close with a low volley that crashed into the side netting when getting on the end of Sam Smith’s free kick. Lewis Gard then fired just over after John Ufuah knocked down an Ade Azeez cross.
Intricate tight skills by Zak O’Keefe sent his man the wrong way and gave him the time to send Troy Howard away and his shot from wide drew a save out of Burgess Hill goalkeeper Michael Dike
It was then Mackenzie Foley, Welling’s custodian, who was called into action and he made an outstanding save with his left foot from veteran striker Chris Whelpdale who was through one on one. He then made a great diving stop to deny Ben Pope.
He continued to thwart the hosts after the half time break when he made an acrobatic tip over the bar before Welling had a good spell cumulating with the opening goal. Ufuah was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and Smith’s missile free kick flew inside the far post.
Whelpdale’s close range flick was kept out by a reaction save by Foley before a Glen Rea free kick rattled the crossbar as Welling were pushed deeper and deeper.
Ten minutes of additional time was indicated and Foley was finally beaten in the first of them by Pope’s accurate low shot from fifteen yards.
George Vorster shot wide for the hosts and it looked like the Wings were going to leave with a hard fought point until Whelpdale was allowed to chop back from the left wing. He fired into a sea of legs and it deflected off one of them to give Foley no chance.
Next Saturday, Welling will play their third away game on the trot when visiting Potters Bar Town who, like the Wings, are fighting to escape relegation.
Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Gunner, Arthur; Oluwatimilehin (Thomas 46), Smith; Howard (Vukoje 84), Gard (El-Mogharbel 54), Ufuah (Reynolds 90+2); Azeez.
Substitutes not used: Paternoster.
