Dean Frost’s first game in charge of Welling United ended in an encouraging 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town.
His team cannot afford to sit back, however, as they are in action again with another difficult away match, this time at Braintree Town.
Weather conditions, sleet, snow and high winds, made the game in Yorkshire that much more difficult and when Welling went behind, against the run of play, they could easily have folded.
They continued to attack and pinned the Shaymen further and further back. It was the least they deserved when Kadell Daniel fired home a 79th minute equaliser.
At Braintree they may find a heavy pitch awaiting them as the Iron, along with many others, have had problems with staging home games. In fact this game is a rearranged game following the postponement of the original fixture on 28th December.
Illness to Harry Osborne and Kevin Lokko’s longer term injury meant that Zach Fagan returned from his own injury to partner Michael Chambers. Sadly, he lasted less than ten minutes before limping off.
Although not a natural centre half, substitute Nortei Nortey filled in admirably as emergency cover. Frost has wasted no time in bringing in another centre half and Ian Gayle has been brought in on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge for the rest of the season.
Welling’s biggest problem has been in scoring goals and Frost has tried to resolve the situation by bringing in two more players on transfer deadline day. Another Dagger, Ade Yussuf, has signed on loan for the rest of the season to play up front.
Hoping to provide the service is wide man Luke Wanadio who has been signed on a permanent deal from Staines Town. He has been watched by several league clubs this season and may be looking at the opportunity to play in the Vanarama National League as a greater opportunity to impress.
Sam Corne will remain absent for another week or so but George Porter looks likely to be out for a lot longer.
When Welling played Braintree at Park View Road earlier in the season, the visitors claimed all three points. Afolabi Obafemi gave Welling the perfect start but Michael Cheek took full advantage of some slack defending to equalise.
Dan Sparkes put Braintree ahead in the second half and ran out comfortable winners.
In the corresponding fixture at the ground now known as the Avanti Stadium last season, Welling claimed all three points courtesy of Charlie Penny’s close range effort.
A similar outcome would leave Welling level on points with Boreham Wood and within two of Altrincham and F.C. Halifax Town. However Braintree will have ambitions of their own as a victory would leave them in touching distance of the play-off zone.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.