Whilst Welling United have not had a lot of luck this season, they may well reflect on the game at Gosport Borough and wonder if the tide has started to turn.
Twice in the first ten minutes they struck the woodwork. They also had a good claim for a penalty turned down, and again saw the ball clip the bar in the closing minutes of the first half.
They could have been behind with less than a minute on the clock when Warren Bentley crossed deep but Dan Woodsen could only strike the post from close range.
Next Bentley hit the crossbar. Probably the best passing move of the match almost created an opening for Welling but they committed too many players forward allowing Gosport to break and Bentley’s effort beat Chris Lewington but came back off the woodwork.
After twelve minutes, Welling went ahead demonstrating just how to make the most of a counter attack. Matt Fish raced away down the right wing and crossed deep for Adam Coombes to head home at the far post.
Fish almost went from hero to villain minutes later when he appeared to floor Josh Carmichael as he cut back from the bye-line in the penalty area. Maybe it was as a result of the way he fell but referee Marc Whaley decreed it a dive and booked the former Welling player.
Lewington did well to turn away an effort from Aaron Dawson before Adam Wilde was relieved to see a diving header fly wide of his own goal.
Ben Harding caused problems with a corner into a crowded area but Lewington pushed it over via the bar.
After the break, the expected fireworks were not forthcoming as both clubs struggled to create much before Gosport were given a great chance to equalise.
A flick from point blank range struck Dean Leacock on the arm and because his arm was raised, the referee awarded a penalty. Bentley struck it well but Lewington guessed correctly and made a stunning save, pushing it around the post.
It appeared that Welling were going to see the game out until the 90th minute when a long ball was flicked on to send Ben Wright away and he gave Lewington no chance with a crisp finish.
Looking to grab a winner in the five additional minutes, Gosport almost threw away the point they had battled to claim. Della-Verde led the break and his perfect through ball sent Coombes away but Welling’s leading scorer was dismayed to see his strike fly back off the post.
Head Coach Jamie Day spoke afterwards about the late drama and game overall.“I’m disappointed for the boys because they’ve worked their socks off. We rode our luck a little bit. Chris (Lewington) has been outstanding, early on, in the first fifteen minutes, he pulled off three really good saves, and obviously the penalty save as well.
“It probably evens itself out over 90 minutes but to be in the lead for so long, and in fairness, defend pretty well, just disappointed for the boys that we haven’t managed to get another three points.
“We’ve got quality in this team. As long as the work rate and effort is there, and desire to want to do well, then they’ll never get moaned at by me, or any of the supporters, or Mark (Goldberg), or the club.
“We said to the boys as long as you’re giving 100% and you’re working your socks off for this club and the team, and Mark, and everyone else, then there’s never an issue. When you don’t do that, then there becomes a problem. We’ve got some good footballers here, some good attacking footballers, we need to make sure we do both sides of the game and we’ve stressed to them as long as you’re working hard, there’s never an issue.”
Gosport Borough: Rice, Cuthbertson, Wilde (Wright 80), Carter, Brice, Oastler, Dawson, Harding (Flood 67), Wooden, Bentley, Carmichael.
Subs not used: Poate, Barron, Bailey.
Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Braham-Barrett, Hatton, Hayles, Leacock, Morgan (Fuseini 74), Waldren, Nanetti (Johnson 74), Coombes, Della-Verde.
Subs not used: Agu, Nelson, Knight.
Referee: Marc Whaley
Assistants: Craig Green and Sean Rothwell
Attendance: 447
Welling star player: Chris Lewington
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.