By Mark Doig at the Maurice Rebak Stadium
TROY Howard’s equaliser two minutes from time lifted Welling United out of the Isthmian League Premier Division relegation zone after a well-deserved 1-1 draw at Wingate and Finchley.
It was Welling’s first-ever league visit to the Maurice Rebak Stadium and both teams had to cope with a strong, icy wind.
The Wings hit the frames of both goals and missed a penalty but kept plugging away to claim what could turn out to be a crucial point.
It ended a bountiful month of March in which Welling won three, drew one and lost just once. The point took the Wings out of the bottom four for the first time since the penultimate weekend in August, and they still have a game in hand on the clubs around them.
Playing into the wind in the first half, Welling struggled to come to terms with the conditions in the early stages and they went one down before they had settled. A high cross into the penalty area was allowed to bounce and Loic Hernandez got on the end of it to force it into the net in the eighth minute.
Once they had come to terms with the additional weather-related challenges, the Wings repelled everything thrown at them and created opportunities of their own, the best of which was a header by Lekan Majoyegbe which struck the far post.
After the break, Welling again hit the woodwork. Howard had the initial shot that was saved brilliantly by Joel Halliday and the Wingate custodian was back on his feet quickly to push Jamie Reynolds’ follow-up effort on to the post and out.
They then had an even better chance when the hosts’ captain Billy Cracknell dragged down Majoyegbe and a penalty was awarded. Ade Azeez took the responsibility but fired over.
John Ufuah had a deflected shot saved by Halliday before Welling’s goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley was called into action to make a good low save from Caoillan McGettigan.
Majoyegbe then caused further problems when he headed down another Smith corner and Dean Gunner’s effort was cleared off the line.
Wings substitute Noah Stewart shot inches wide from the edge of the penalty area before Welling levelled the score with two minutes remaining.
Foley picked out Howard with a raking 80-yard pass and he controlled it superbly before planting it inside the far post.
Over 150 Welling supporters contributed to the hosts’ best home gate of the season of 391, and they certainly played their part in Welling’s well-warranted point.
Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Gunner (Paternoster 84), Arthur; Thomas (Stewart 67), Smith; Howard, Gard (Reynolds 46), Ufuah (Reeve 84); Azeez.
Substitute not used: Oluwatimilehin.
