In a game that, at times, threatened to boil over, Welling United were held to a goal-less draw by Hemel Hempstead Town.

Despite being the victims of some pretty boisterous tackles, with little protection from the officials, Welling refused to be bullied out of the game.

Jamie Coyle came close to putting Welling ahead in the first minute. His looping header from Connor Dymond’s free kick came back off the angle of bar and post, clipped goalkeeper Laurie Walker, and came out. Little did anyone know that would be the closest that either side would come to scoring.

Dymond was cautioned for two hard tackles in quick succession, the first one on Jordan Parkes and the second on Scott Shulton which caused Parkes to berate referee Will Finnie.

After that, Hemel had a spell on top but failed to create much. Spence McCall had a low driven shot claimed by Bailey Vose and David Moyo looked to be in but Coyle got across quickly to make the block.

Ryan Hall’s free kick was claimed comfortably by Walker and Vose did likewise with a long Joe Howe punt.

Karl Oliyide tried an ambitious effort from out wide but it wouldn’t have hit the target if it was twice as wide.

As the game became more bitty Kyle Connolly was cautioned for kicking the ball away then Parkes was extremely lucky to escape with a booking for a shocking challenge on Dymond that appeared to be pre-meditated retribution. Matt Saunders soon followed them into the book for a cynical challenge on the half way line.

When the players went off at half time, Dymond had to be restrained by team-mates as he took umbrage to a comment made by the Tudors’ manager Dean Brennan.

Soon after the interval Coyle worked himself another chance but his shot was blocked wide for a corner. Hall’s delivery came out to Dymond but he couldn’t find the target from the edge of the area.

Joe Healy then sent Jamie Philpot away but his rasping drive flew just over. Dymond then spread play out wide to Hall but Goldberg started his run just too soon and was caught offside when meeting his the diagonal cross.

Hall had a first time volley deflected wide before being replaced by Christian Nanetti.

Parkes fired wide for Hemel before Welling made a second change when bringing on Tom Bradbrook for Goldberg.

Almost immediately, the two replacements combined to create a rare moment of excitement. Nanetti produced a moment of magic that was rare in this game to allow Bradbrook to play it in. Philpot bundled home but was flagged offside.

In the closing minutes, Connolly committed an untidy foul and was shown a second yellow card but it was too late for Welling to take advantage.

The point moved Welling up one place to eighth but still three points behind seventh placed Hemel.

 

Welling United: Vose, Driver, Jefford, Durojaiye, Okuonghae, Coyle, Hall (Nanetti 78), Dymond, Goldberg (Bradbrook 82), Healy, Philpot.

Subs not used: Johnson, Milton, Coombes.

 

Hemel Hempstead Town: Walker, Howe, Connolly, Parkes, Ward, Yakubu (Kaloczi 46), Saunders (Watt 69), Shulton, Moyo, Oliyide, McCall (Cain 83).

Subs not used: Osborn, Boness.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Dymond, Durojaiye, Philpot

Red cards: None

 

Hemel Hempstead Town:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Connolly, Parkes, Saunders

Red cards: Connolly

 

 

Referee: Will Finnie

Assistants: Chris Bodell and Alex Rayment

 

Attendance: 442

 

Welling star player: Magnus Okuonghae

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.