Despite dominating the majority of the match Welling United had to settle for a point against Chippenham Town.

Danny Bloor’s team played some football that was pleasing on the eye and they created a host of chances but came up against goalkeeper Will Henry in inspired form.

Matt McClure might have put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes when rising unchallenged to meet a cross from Eddie Jones, but he headed wide of the near post. At the other end Kain Adom worked his way in from the left past a couple of challenges before shooting over.

Jones tested Welling teenage goalkeeper Javarn Pitterson with a shot at the near post but the youngster held on well then McClure fired over from outside the penalty area. It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for the Wings when Ed Williams set up Jack Evans who failed to find the target after measuring up his shot.

However, once they had got over their slow start, Welling took control. Dominic Odusanya delivered a corner that Crossley Lema headed down inches beyond Jack Burchell in front of goal.

Jephte Tanga then had a great chance for the Wings. He played it inside to Tristan Abrahams whose clever flick sent Tanga through one-on-one against Henry. He attempted to slot it home but Henry got down well to his right and pushed it around the post.

Henry made an even better save, again thwarting Tanga, shortly after. The Orient loanee cut in from the left and unleashed a fierce drive from the edge of the area that the Chippenham goalkeeper showed a strong wrist at full stretch to turn it over.

Just as they had in the first half, Welling started the second period slowly and McClure glanced a header wide of the post before Luke Haines headed a long throw down into the path of Luke Spokes who side-footed wide from close range.

After that, Welling took over and the Bluebirds had to dig deep. Antony Papadopoulos was introduced from the bench and had a shot that was saved by Henry. The visitors never really looked comfortable when playing out from the back and Adom, having intercepted a sloppy pass, found Odusanya. He looked up and curled it towards the far post but Henry dived full length to save.

Once again, just as he had done in midweek against Maidstone United, Adom struck the framework of the goal. Cameron Green’s cross picked him out and his first time effort clattered the bar on its way over. Burchell fired over at the end of a goalmouth scramble after Henry had struggled with a low Abrahams cross, then Tanga shot wide of the near post.

Abrahams was picked out by Papadopoulos but his first touch didn’t kill it and he shot wide of the near post. Papadopoulos then came close himself when his shot was deflected just wide of one post with Henry committed to diving towards the other.

Green shot wildly off target before Lewis White rounded Henry but was crowded out and he couldn’t get a shot away. Henry then made a good low save from White after more clever football by Papadopoulos. Further poor playing out from the back almost cost Chippenham dearly when it broke down allowing Abrahams an opportunity but he couldn’t beat a determined Henry. 

Even in stoppage time Welling had another couple of chances. Amadou Kassarate had a shot tipped over acrobatically by Henry, then right at the death Burchell curled over.

Although the Wings will feel disappointed not to have won, they will know that when everything clicks into place in front of goal, they will soon be picking up points.

Welling United: Winterbottom, Lema, Green, Kassarae, Byrd, Burchell, Tanga, Odusanya (Kamara 90+1), Abrahams, Adom (White 74), Muwonge (Papadopoulos 53). Sub not used: Curran, Bramble.

Yellow card: Green

Chippenham Town: Henry, Jones, Grant, Evans (Nicholas 25), Haines, N. Williams, Spokes, N. Williams, Bray (Johnson 46), McClure (Fasanmade,46), Bradbury. Subs not used: Ellison, Windsor.

Yellow cards: E. Williams, McClure, Bradbury

Referee: George Laflin

Assistants: Joshua Evans and Richard Joss

Attendance: 487

Images courtesy of Dave Budden