By Mark Doig at the Brentwood Arena
TWO days after beating Chichester City at home, Welling United made the journey through the Dartford Tunnel for an Isthmian League Premier Division match at Brentwood Town on Easter Monday.
It was Welling’s second visit to the Brentwood Arena this season, having previously travelled for an FA Trophy match, and the third meeting of the season between the two teams. The Blues had won the previous two battles and continued their good form against the Wings by inflicting another defeat on them, this time 2-0.
Chances were few and far between, but the promotion hopefuls were ruthless with their two clear-cut opportunities to boost their play-off dreams as they moved up a place to fourth.
The loss ended Welling’s four-game unbeaten run but they still remain outside the relegation zone on goal difference as all of the teams around them also lost.
Early on, Sam Smith shot wide and Lekan Majoyegbe had an effort saved comfortably by Brentwood goalkeeper Aiden Prall before former Wing, Bradley Sach, shot wide of the far post for the hosts.
In the 26th minute, Brentwood went ahead. Danger man Kymani Thomas cut along the bye-line before driving in a low cross. Welling’s goalkeeper, Mackenzie Foley, could only parry it out and Charlie Edwards maintained his composure to place it inside the far post.
Majoyegbe again had a chance for Welling when picked out by a Smith corner from the left, and Prall had to make a good save when tipping it over the bar.
Missing talisman winger Troy Howard, who had not recovered sufficiently from Welling’s game two days earlier, the Wings were handicapped further when Smith limped off six minutes before half-time to be replaced by Lewis Gard.
Early in the second period, Thomas again got behind the Welling back line down the left only to shoot beyond the far post. Foley then made a regulation save from Wyan Reid.
Prall had a lucky escape at the other end when trying to start a quick counter-attack, his drop-kick struck Ade Azeez in the back. Fortunately for the keeper, it rebounded straight back into his arms.
Ten minutes into the second period, Brentwood scored again. Sach found Daniel Ogunleye in midfield and he split the Welling defence with a through-ball that sent Thomas clear and the pacy wide man made no mistake when planting it inside the far post.
Experienced Scott Kashket, with over 150 Football League matches under his belt, came on for Brentwood and hit a shot off target before the Wings had a couple of late half chances. Majoyegbe knocked down a Gard free-kick that was hooked wide by Dean Gunner, then Zak O’Keefe drew a comfortable save out of Prall.
Ogunleye shot just wide from 20 yards deep into stoppage-time but the damage had already been done and the game ended moments later.
Ryan Maxwell, Welling’s manager, will now be working with his medical staff to get his walking wounded ready for his team’s big derby game with Dulwich Hamlet at Park View Road on Saturday.
Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Paternoster (Gunner 78), Arthur; Thomas (Oluwatimilehin 57); Ufuah, Smith (Gard 39), Reynolds (Reeve 46); Azeez, Stewart (Akanbi 72).
Substitutes not used: None.
