Welling United were held by nine man AFC Telford United in a tough Vanarama Conference season opener.

Too many cards brandished by the referee made for a difficult game to watch but the visitors’ tactics will have made them few friends amongst any neutrals in the ground.

They came close to scoring early on when Sean Clancy just failed to convert a deep Mike Phenix cross and Neil Byrne should have done better when meeting an Andrew Owens free kick.

Phenix then shot wide on the break before earning himself a caution for pushing a deep cross into the net.

The visitors went ahead from a very poorly defended free kick. Owens shot from long range should not have caused too many problems, but Lee Butcher was caught out when it was allowed to get through the wall and was unable to keep it out.

Harry Beautyman almost responded immediately but Jonathan Hedge got down well to save.

Following a caution for Clancy for dissent, Godfrey Poku followed up with another for a clumsy tackle.

Welling’s Chris Bush name was added to the mounting list before a petulant Poku handball earned him a second booking and a dismissal in first half injury time.

A second yellow for Phenix followed just after the break and from then on, the Bucks did everything they could to break up play and take time off the clock.

Tyrone Marsh had a shot that was saved comfortably by Hedge, but the Telford goalkeeper knew little when Rod Young’s shot came back off his legs.

Loui Fazakerley had a shot blocked and Jefford fired over before the Wings equalised on 65 minutes.

Beautyman collected a short corner, and Telford’s lack of numbers meant he was not closed down so had time to pick his spot with a curler into the top corner.

Afolabi Obafemi was left dumbfounded when pushed over in the penalty area yet booked.

In a rare foray, Sam Smith tested Butcher with a drilled shot directly at him but Welling continued to create chances.

Jake Gallagher did well to get ahead of his marker but could not direct his header from Ben Jefford’s cross on target before Beautyman failed to get his header on target from another inviting Jefford centre.

Deep into injury time, Jamal Fyfield headed over as the Wings had to settle for a point.

 

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley (Williams 85), Jefford, Gorman (Healy 57), Bush, Fyfield, Beautyman, Gallagher,  Abofemi, Marsh, Young(Ouani 76).

Unused substitutes: Turner, Day.

AFC Telford United: Hedge, Byrne, Akrigg, Grogan, Phenix, Farrell, Clancy (Barnett 90), Owens. Platt, Smith, Poku.

Unused substitutes: Gray, Cook, Price, Deacy.

Referee: Nigel Lugg

Attendance: 611

Welling star man: Chris Bush

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.