Coming into the game, both teams were averaging four goals for or against per game, and last years corresponding game yielded ten goals.

Therefore, it was almost inevitable that this match would finish goal-less.

In the early stages, Eastbourne’s new signing from Bognor Regis Town, Gary Charman, appeared to be everywhere.

First he was heading the first goal attempt of the game directly at Welling goalkeeper Dillon Barnes then he was heading away a Bradley Goldberg cross shot from under the crossbar.

Charlie Harris had two long range efforts, the first went wide and the second was caught easily by Dillon Barnes.

Yemi Odubade shot wide of the near post as he was crowded out and Harris brought a good save out of Barnes with another long shot that took a deflection.

Both teams were guilty of over-hitting through balls that may well have held up on grass but Ryan Worrall did get one right to send Nathaniel Pinney away but he toe poked wide as Barnes came out.

Having weathered the storm, Welling finished the half strongly and after Ian Gayle fired over, Tom Bradbrook headed wide from a deep Christie Pattisson cross.

Immediately after the break, Bradbrook had another chance when Charman headed back weakly, but having intercepted, he hit his shot wide.

He followed up with another header off target before the Sports mounted an attack that Barnes did well to block Worrall’s shot.

Charman was booked for a bad foul on Bradbrook and after Jack Parkinson headed wide from the free kick, Charman was withdrawn from the action.

Goldberg had a shot deflected wide and took the corner himself, finding Parkinson who was again unable to find the target with his header,

Odubade brought another good save out of Barnes but there was nothing he could do but watch Pinney’s header come back off the bar from Sergio Torres’ cross.

Ben Jefford was booked for pulling back Odubade and the Sports’ striker was thwarted by a brave save by Barnes after the free kick was only half cleared.

Connor Dymond shot wide for Welling before Bradbrook missed a great chance when heading wide from Christian Nanetti’s cross.

One last chance fell to Harris for Eastbourne but his shot from wide was held by Barnes to ensure he kept his first Welling clean sheet.

 

Eastbourne Borough: Vose, Hendon, Redwood  (Ransom 84), Worrall, Charman (Simpemba 57), Drage, Odubade, Torres, Pinney, Harris.

Unused substitutes: Crittenden, Street, Horlock

 

Welling United: Barnes, Gayle, Jefford, Dymond, Coyle, Parkinson, Pattisson (Durojaiye 71), Healy, Bradbrook, Goldberg, Nanetti.

Subs not used: Francis, Johnson. Joseph-Dubois, Milton.

 

Eastbourne Borough:

Goalscorers:

Yellow cards: Charman

Red cards: None

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers:

Yellow cards: Jefford

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Ryan Atkin

Assistants: Matthew Russell and  Declan Hellyer

 

Attendance: 521

 

Welling star player: Dillon Barnes