Despite finishing nil-nil, the Kent derby between Welling United and Maidstone United was far from boring.

Both teams had spells when they were on top and each might have felt that they could have won the game but overall, a draw was probably a fair result.

Lewis White had an early half chance when Dominic Odusanya’s corner fell into his path but his shot took a deflection and looped into Lucas Covolan’s arms.

Teenage goalkeeper Javarn Pitterson, on his Welling league debut, was called into making a save from Levi Amantchi at the near post and he held on well before Welling had a great chance.

Tristan Abrahams sent Lewis White clear and his fierce drive was beaten out. Kain Adom followed up and Covolan did well to hold his low shot just inside the post.

Devonte Aransibia held it up well before playing in Sam Bone whose first time shot flew wide then Amantchi drew a comfortable save out of Pitterson when meeting Aransibia’s cross with a flick header.

Sol Wanjau-Smith went on a good run to set up Bone but his shot was deflected over before Welling had an opportunity just before half time. Odusanya’s shot was blocked into the path of Crossley Lema and his first time effort fizzed beyond the far post.

After the break, TJ Bramble had a shot beaten out and Maidstone broke quickly. Pitterson did well to block out Wanjau-Smith’s initial shot before Lachlan Byrd got his head in the way of his follow up. Abrahams then teed up White but Covolan held his low shot well.

Pitterson then did likewise from Amantchi’s effort at the other before Welling had another opportunity when substitute Antony Papadopoulos fired over after Covolan had been unable to hold on to a corner.

As the game became more stretched Papadopoulos broke down the right and squared for Adom. Although he lost his footing, he was still able to hook a shot that crashed back off the post.

Wanjau-Smith had a shot pushed wide by Pitterson, however, Welling continued to look dangerous and Lema was thwarted by a good save at the near post. Abrahams then nodded over after Byrd headed forward.  

That proved to be the last chance for either team as they had to settle for a point apiece.

Welling United: Pitterson, Lema, Green, Kassarate, Byrd, Burchell, Adom, Odusanya, Abrahams, Bramble (Papadopoulos 61), White (Tanga 72).

Subs not used: Idem, Curran, Muwonge.

Yellow card: Kassarate

Maidstone United: Covolan, Hoyte, Ezennolim (Brown 72), Greenidge, Fowler, Bone, Aransibia, Corne, Wanjau-Smith, Amantchi (Gdobe 79), Kyprianou (De-Graft 68).

Subs not used: Earle, Petrasso.

Yellow cards: Fowler, Bone

Referee: Morgan Conn

Assistants: Rudin Preca and Jeffrey Aldous

Attendance: 818

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.