Despite just two days recovery time, Welling underwent the long midweek trip to Gateshead and claimed a hard earned point.

Things could hardly have started worse for the visitors when less than two minutes had passed before Alex Rodman netted at the near post.

Rattled Welling then had to ride their luck as the Heed missed a host of chances that could have killed the game off.

Craig Baxter did well down the right wing but Carl Finnigan somehow fired over from close range.

Rodman shot over and Jamie Chandler was just off target from 20 yards before Jamal Fyfield was cautioned for halting another dangerous raid.

Once again Rodman came close when shooting wide from outside the area before Welling started to come into the game.

Dominic Vose, Welling’s most dangerous attacking player, saw his threatening cross sliced over his own bar by James Curtis before he launched a volley narrowly over.

Having weathered the storm, the second half was more even. John Oster whipped in a free kick that Valentin Gjokaj met with a header that clipped the top of the bar.

At the other end, Fyfield picked up a half cleared corner and surged forward before whipping in a cross that Jason Williams could only chest wide of the near post.

After Kieron St. Aimie’s audacious chip from a narrow angle had been saved, Gateshead created problems for themselves.

Danger man Rodman kicked out at Barney Williams and the indiscretion was picked up by the linesman leaving Jason Whiteley with no option other than to dismiss him.

Although not dominating with the extra man, they did start to move the ball but owed a good deal of fortune to their equaliser.

Cutting in from the left, Vose went for a speculative shot that took a big deflection that took it over Bartlett and into the net.

After what had happened in recent weeks, Welling were due a change of luck and they almost made the most of it in injury time when Sam Corne fired in a low shot that Bartlett somehow turned over.

Loui Fazakerley said afterwards “The lads are pretty disappointed to only get a draw. It’s a six hour journey with only two days to recover. Their legs could have been heavy towards the end but they kept going and could have won it.”

 

Gateshead: Bartlett, Chandler, Curtis, Oster, Finnigan, Ramshaw, Baxter, Rodman, Pattison, Gjokaj, Gooch:

Unused substitutes: Wilson, Shaw, Morse, Rankine, Sainte-Luce

Welling United: Henly, B. Williams, Fyfield, Fagan, Berry, Chambers, Corne, Vose, J. Williams (Bassele 75), St. Aimie, Harris.

Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Bush, Young, Taylor.

 

Referee: Jason Whiteley

Assistants: Neil Guest and Dean Bradshaw

4^th Official: Dan Woodward

Welling star man: Sam Berry

Attendance: 711

 

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.