Although a draw at a full time team might be considered to be a good result, the Welling United players left Eastbourne Borough disappointed about not having won.
They were more than equals to a team that are expected to be in the National League South championship race and played the better football.
Early on Tristan Abrahams’ clever flick wrong-footed the defence and created space for himself and his shot from 30 yards clipped the bar.
Eastbourne then thought that they had a call for penalty but it was more of a supporters’ demand than a genuine grievance, although, bizarrely, their management team voiced their displeasure to the Assistant Manager at the other end of the pitch.
Soon after the Wings were on the attack again. Lewis White got to the bye-line and pulled back, but just behind Antony Papadopoulos who could only hook over.
Cameron Green got himself into a good position to square to Dominic Odusanya whose first time side foot volley flew wide before the hosts had a couple of openings. Jay Beckford broke through on the left hand side and saw a gap but Ben Winterbottom read his intentions and got down to make a good low save. Former Wing Yaser Kasim then got in behind on the right and fired across the face of goal
Papadopoulos broke a clumsy Eastbourne challenge and made space before his shot from thirty yards drew a brilliant full length diving save out of Harrison Foulkes.
Despite being on top, Welling went behind in first half stoppage time to a soft penalty that was converted by Decarrey Sheriff.
After the half time break, a long range shot by Sam Beard flew wide, however, Welling continued to press and Odusanya shot over after a free kick was only partially cleared.
Eventually, Welling levelled. Lema Crossley got forward and picked out Papadopoulos. Although his shot was blocked, it came out to Jephte Tanga and he made no mistake with a shot into the bottom corner.
Abrahams had a scissors kick deflected wide before Welling went ahead. James Vaughan delivered deep, Odusanya headed back across goal and Abrahams hooked home from six yards.
Looking for a quick response, substitute Fletcher Holman blasted a shot high over the stand behind the goal and deep into the car park.
As Welling looked to see out the win, they conceded an equaliser with under four minutes remaining. It was a goal that was not dissimilar to Welling’s opener. A shot was blocked and fell into the path of Siloh Remy and he made no mistake with a well struck shot.
There were no further clear cut opportunities and Welling manager Danny Bloor’s first return to his former club ended up with the spoils shared.
Eastbourne Borough: Foulkes, Finney, Procter, Beckford (Holman 67), Carter (Bridgman 78), Paxman, Remy, Beard, Emmerson, Kasim, Gravata (Sheriff 15). Subs not used: Quick, Vigar.
Goalscorers: Sheriff (45+2), Remy 86
Yellow cards: Procter, Paxman, Carter, Holman, Beard
Welling United: Winterbottom, Lema , Green, Vaughan, Byrd, Burchell (Dickenson 79), Tanga, Odusanya, Abrahams, Papadopoulos, White (Muwonge 75). Sub not used: Adom, Bramble, Kamara.
Goalscorers: Tanga (66), Abrahams (73)
Yellow cards: Burchell, Muwonge
Referee: Isaac Searle
Assistants: Sean Phillips and Jordan McRitchie
Attendance: 1,540
Images courtesy of Dave Budden