Despite taking an early lead, Welling United fell to a disappointing home defeat against a well organised Braintree Town.

Whilst it is encouraging to see good young players coming through, maybe Welling would have benefited from a couple of more experienced heads. Reece Harris (24) and 23 year old George Porter were the only Wings’ players over 21.

Manager Loui Fazakerley was absent having had an operation 24 hours earlier, but he and the rest of the management team may have to re-think their starting line-up and formation before Monday’s match at Woking.

After just five minutes the Wings went ahead. George Porter flicked on a long clearance and Afolabi Obafemi held off Mark Phillips before lobbing beyond Will Norris.

Ben Jefford fired over after exchanging passes with Obafemi before Braintree levelled. Despite having chances to clear, Welling paid the penalty when Matt Paine presented Micheal Cheek an opportunity and he shot under Tom King.

Cheek had further chances, first having a shot saved then rounding King before running out of space.

Harris and eighteen year old captain Sam Corne twice combined to create openings. First Obafemi fired straight at Norris, then Phillips atoned for his earlier mistake when blocking Porter’s goal-bound shot.

Again Harris was involved after the break when making space for himself but just failing to find the top corner with Norris beaten.

That was as good as it got for Welling and King was called upon to make a thrilling double save, first from Remy Clerima and then Dan Sparkes.

Sparkes was not to be denied for too much longer, however. Just a minute after coming on, Anthony Edgar sent Sparkes away and he gave King no chance with a clinical finish.

Edgar might have added another as Braintree ran down the last fifteen minutes with relative ease.

Head Coach, Matthew McEntegart, accepted that it had been a poor performance from the Wings. “We had a game plan, we didn’t execute it. It comes down to decision making. At the moment we are not getting those right.

“I thought both goals were poor goals from our perspective.”

On Monday, Welling visit Woking and will be looking to arrest their run of win-less matches.

 

Welling United: King, Fagan, Jefford, Vidal (Wellard 63), Chambers, Lokko, Corne, Lee, Obafemi, Porter (Adeyinka 58), Harris.

Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Osborne, Kabba.

 

Braintree Town: Norris, Clerima, Habergham, Paine, Davis (Chiedozie 69), Sparkes, Dallison, Miles (Isaac 53), Phillips, Cheek (Edgar 74), Woodyard.

Unused substitutes: Brundle, Marks.

 

Referee: Derek Eaton

Assistants: Benjamin James and Andreas Anastasiou

4^th Official: Gary Jerden

 

Welling star man: Ben Jefford

Attendance: 521

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.