Both Cray Valley (PM) and Welling United might have won the pre-season friendly at the Artic Stadium but the game ended in an entertaining draw.
Brad Stevenson was in action early on, spinning in his own half before bursting away and letting fly but Chris Lewington tipped his shot over. A Welling trialist then crossed for another to head just wide but it was the hosts who went ahead in the 18th minute.
Denzel Gayle burst down the right wing and pulled it back to Marcel Barrington. He was closed down quickly so laid it off to Rory Hill who scored with a precise finish.
However, the Millers were only able to hold their lead for six minutes. Welling won a corner which was delivered by Stevenson and Ade Shokunbi rose to power his header home.
Dipo Akinyemi was just wide for Welling from a free kick before firing a shot narrowly wide of the far post. At the other end, Ade Adeyemo cut in from the wing but his shot was well off target.
After the interval, Barrington again forced his way into a good position but Welling’s goalkeeper did well to block with his legs. Then, from a Jack Sammoutis corner, Cem Tumkaya was unable to find the target with his header.
Welling had a call for a penalty when Brad Pearce won a tackle and strode forward to send a trialist striker through. He went down under Lewington’s challenge but referee Howard Collins didn’t deem it unfair.
Soon after, he was pointing to the spot, but at the other end when a Welling defender was struck on the arm. Barrington stepped up but Welling’s goalkeeper guessed correctly and dived to keep out his shot.
Two Welling substitutes then came close when Lyle Della-Verde’s shot was well saved and Stefan Ilic was unable to guide home the rebound.
Della-Verde then had a shot tipped over brilliantly by Lewington before Kristian Campbell met Della-Verde’s corner with a header that flashed wide.
Akinyemi diverted a Della-Verde shot into the net but was clearly offside then Millers’ substitute Francis Babalola had a shot saved easily. Welling had the last chance when Akinyemi set up Della-Verde. Lewington saved his shot and it came out to a Wings’ substitute but he ballooned it over.
Cray Valley (PM): Lewington, Blanks. Beerling, Tumkaya, Hill, Sammoutis (Semakula 80), Warren, Ibrahiym (Babalola 71), Gayle, Adeyemo (Green 46), Barrington.
Unused Subs: Kyrell Lisbie, Kyreece Lisbie.
Welling United: Trialist, Barnes, Ezinnolim, Trialist (Trialist 72), Pearce (Ilic 64), Trialist, Shokunbi (Della-Verde (60), Stevenson, Akinyemi, Trialist (Trialist 72), Campbell.
Referee: Howard Collins
Assistants: Steve Goldup and David Rowland
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.