On Shrove Tuesday, the game between Welling United and Dartford may have ended without a goal but it was anything but flat.

Whilst Welling had the better of the chances it was certainly not all one way. A point each was not great for either team. It means that Welling have won just three points out of their last twelve,and Dartford two points out of nine.

New signing Michael Thalassitis was in the thick of it throughout and will be wondering how he didn’t mark his debut with a goal.

Early on he had a shot and a header saved either side of a shot by Rhys Murrell-Williamson who was also thwarted by the unbeatable Deren Ibrahim.

He also saved from Vas Karagiannis before Ali Fuseini’s long shot was claimed at the second attempt.

At the other end, Chris Lewington had to be alert to save a flick header from Tom Murphy.

Jamie Slabber, playing probably his best game in a Welling shirt, did beat Ibrahim with a header from Jordan Brown’s cross only to see Alex Brown hack it off the line.

Luke Wanadio had a shot saved by Lewington then Keaton Wood was just wide from twenty five yards moments before the break.

After the break, Slabber was off target before Lewington made an outstanding save to keep out Murphy.

Danny Waldren then let fly only for Ibrahim to make an equally brilliant save.

Alex Cathline then came on as substitute and twice had opportunities to mark his Welling debut with a goal. First he fired wide after Harry Crawford’s shot was blocked then Ibrahim saved from his low shot at the second attempt.

Ibrahim made two very different type saves from Thalassitis in the closing exchanges. First he came out quickly to claim at his feet, then he made a breathtaking full length save from a shot destined for the top corner.

 

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Brown, Fuseini, Hayles, Francis, Karagiannis (Walker 75), Waldren, Slabber, (Cathline 62) Thalassitis, Murrell-Williamson (Crawford 67).

Subs not used: Leacock, Richards.

 

Dartford  Ibrahim, Wood, Wynter, Bonner, Vint, Brown, Hayes (Noble 67), Bradbrook, Murphy (Ochori-Acheampong 67), Pugh, Wanadio (Francis 81).

Subs not used: Seixas, Coxall.

 

Welling United:0

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Fuseini, Waldren, Slabber, Fish

 

Dartford: 0

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Brown, Bonner, Vint

 

Referee: Ian Fissenden

Assistants: Shaun Farrer and Isaac Searle

 

Attendance: 909

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.

 

Man of the match : Deren Ibrahim