Hopes of escaping relegation from the Vanarama National League South took a huge blow for Welling United when they slumped to defeat at Chesham United.
In the first half chances were at a premium for both sides on a very difficult sandy pitch, Sahid Kamara had the first goal attempt for the Wings with a shot that wasn’t struck cleanly, but still needed a deflection to take it wide.
That was the only effort of note for either side in the first half which ended with a flare up on the edge of the penalty area earning a player from each side a caution.
Having returned from injury to return to the starting line up, Dave Winfield had to be replaced five minutes after the start of the second period. Four minutes later, Welling went behind to the Generals’ first shot of the match. The Wings failed to clear and it fell to Nathan Minhas who fired home.
After a further four minutes, Welling equalised. Sam Cornish took a short corner and, when it was returned to him, he used the improved angle to cross. It fell for Riccardo Di Trolio and he swept it home from close range.
Yet another four minutes passed before the hosts regained the lead. Taylor Foran shrugged off his man far too easily and it fell to Ryan Upward who fired home an unstoppable shot from twenty-five yards.
Leon Moore and Kamara created an opening for Maxwell Statham and his side footer from the edge of the penalty area went just wide. Welling’s chances of taking something from the game then took a further blow. One bad decision too many from referee Kai Morgan infuriated Gene Kennedy who confronted the official in such a manner that he was shown a red card.
Foran volleyed just wide for Chesham before fellow substitute Zak Joseph had looked sure to score until Chiori Johnson, who had come on for Winfield, got across to make a brave block, hurting himself in the process.
As the game went into stoppage time, Welling threw players forward and paid the price when Welling won a corner and it was cleared as far as the half way line to Samson Esan. He had a clear run with just Rhys Lovett to beat and took it round the exposed goalkeeper before slotting it into an empty net from thirty-five yards.
To rub salt into Welling’s wounds, Chesham added a fourth in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Minhas broke away before squaring for Joe Grant and he slotted home from just inside the penalty area.
Other results went against the Wings and the chances of Welling staying up now appear to be remote.
Chesham United: Goode, Foran, Lafleur, Rowe (Esan 67), Stevens, Adebiyi, Upward, Lodge, Grant, Minhas, Rolfe (Joseph 80). Subs not used: Weiss, Roberts, Brown.
Goalscorers: Minhas (54), Upward (62), Esan (90+1). (Grant 90+5)
Yellow card: Rowe (41 persistent foul play), Stevens (45 ungentlemanly conduct), Lodge (83 foul)
Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Di Trolio, Quick, Winfield (Johnson 50 (Ballard-McBride 87)), Burchell, Kamara (Bramble 80), Cornish (Taylor-Crossdale 74), Moore, Kennedy, Kashket (H. Walker 66). Subs not used: None.
Goalscorer: Di Trolio (58)
Yellow cards: Winfield (45 ungentlemanly conduct)
Red card: Kennedy (78 dissent)
Referee: Kai Morgan
Assistants: James Barry and Mario Stetakovic
Fourth Official: Charlie Bullock
Attendance: 814
Images courtesy of Dave Budden