Knowing that defeat would leave Welling in serious strife, they went to F.C. Halifax Town and claimed a well earned point that could well have been three.

Coming into the match on the back of an eleven game undefeated run, Jim Harvey’s Shaymen expected to brush Welling aside but that proved not to be the case.

18 year olds Noah Chesmain and James Ferry were introduced for Welling debuts and Harry Lee was given the captain’s armband by new manager Dean Frost.

Sahr Kabba was first to register a shot on target but Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson got down well to save.

Richard Peniket then drew a comfortable save out of Marek Rodak at the other end.

Zach Fagan appeared to strain himself taking a free kick but when Halifax broke and looked to take advantage, Barney Williams showed great awareness and got back to hack away Jordan Burrow’s low cross.

Burrow then headed Nicky Wroe’s cross into the arms of Rodak before Fagan was forced to limp off to be replaced by Nortei Nortey. Despite not being his natural position, he adapted well in a combination with Michael Chambers in the centre of defence.

Wroe missed a good chance when Rodek, under pressure, punched a cross out to him but the loanee  goalkeeper atoned soon after when he made a stunning save from Peniket’s close range header.

Immediately after the break, Johnson did even better with an amazing double save from Kadell Daniel and Kabba as Welling upped the pace.

As Welling looked to make the most of their greater share of possession they got hit by a sucker punch when Rodak could only knock Connor Hughes’ shot out as far as Kingsley James who made no mistake when scrambling home.

Despite the setback, Welling continued to enjoy the territorial advantage and it was no less than they deserved when they equalised in the 78^th minute. Daniel made space for himself on the edge of the area before curling a left footer beyond the diving Johnson.

Both sides went for the winner in an end to end finale but neither side created a clear cut opportunity and the points were shared.

 

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Bolton, McManus, Brown, Bencherif, Roberts (McDonald 80), Wroe, Fazlic (Hughes 36), James, Burrow, Peniket (Hibbs 62).

Unused substitutes: Porter, MacDonald.

 

Welling United: Rodak,Williams, Chesmain, Ferry, Chambers, Fagan (Nortey 8), Daniel, Lee,  Kabba (Bakare 71), Vidal (Wellard 75), Harris.

Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Adeyinka.

 

Referee: Martin Coy.

Assistants: Helen Conley and Paul Brown

Fourth Official: Lindsey Robinson

 

Attendance: 1,407

Welling star man: Nortei Nortey

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.