Welling lose to Eastbourne amid controversy

Victory for Eastbourne Borough over Welling United at Park View Road pushed the visitors into third place in the Vanarama National League South table.

Yet again, Welling were at the wrong end of several key officiating decisions. They were still smarting from an atrocious judgement seven days earlier when the referee was ready to give a free kick for handball outside the penalty area but was persuaded to award a penalty by his assistant, Video evidence later showed the offence to have taken place a good three yards outside the penalty area.

Against Eastbourne, the first controversial decision came in just the fourth minute when Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett punched the ball away but also caught George Alexander and the referee awarded a penalty. Alexander stepped up and fired home.

That knocked the wind out of Welling’s sails and Moussa Diarra netted from a free kick however the whistle had gone long before for a foul. Yahaya Bamba then got through clear on goal but Lovett made an excellent save with his left boot.

Again the visitors came close when Michael Klass got on the end of Diarra’s knock on from Pierce Bird’s long throw and his drive came back out off the underside of the bar.

Mitchel Bergkamp had an effort for Welling from twenty yards but Joe Wright saved comfortably and manager Rod Stringer was ready for the half time whistle and a regroup.

Following the break, Alexander and Bamba combined to send Klass away but Anthony Grant forced him wide. He still managed to get a shot at goal but Chiori Johnson read the situation and cleared it off the line.

Stringer introduced Kwaku Donkor and Charlie Pegrum and the two replacements added some impetus after which Welling started to assert some pressure. A couple of Welling corners came to nothing then a goalmouth scramble twice required last ditch blocks before Pegrum's shot went the wrong side of the post.

Controversial moment number two followed when Welling’s Alex Lankshear was pulled down in the penalty area but nothing was given then Pegrum again came close with a shot that was deflected just past the post. Gene Kennedy picked out David Winfield from the corner but Alexander nodded it over the bar then Dan Martin delivered from the other side. Again, Winfield met it with a powerful header but Wright got across to make a superb save.

As the game moved into stoppage time, Welling were again denied a stonewall penalty. So concerned were the Sports about Winfield, that they hauled him to the ground as another cross was aimed at him but once again, all claims were waved away.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Welling won a further corner and Lovett ran the length of the pitch to join the attack. Martin delivered and the Wings’ goalkeeper rose to head it but it flew just over.

When the dust had settled, Stringer was left scratching his head wondering when his team would get a break. However, he is also aware that his strike force are not firing on full cylinders and that he has to act to stop his side from being dragged into a relegation battle.

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Donkor 61), Martin, Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Bergkamp (Pegrum 65), Kennedy, Chukwu (Long 80), Taylor-Crossdale, Grant (Cornish (85). Sub not used: Statham.