Two teams in good form met at the J. Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium when Welling United hosted Braintree Town.

Both were unbeaten in seven Vanarama National League South matches with the visitors having won seven in a row, conceding just two goals in that run.

They certainly looked confident and started quickly without creating a clear cut chance and it was Welling who went ahead in the tenth minute. Cameron Green found Sonny Fish and he squared for Jack Burchell to finish from close range.

Jayden Davis did well to reach a long pass and pull it back to Tom Blackwell who could only head straight at Reice Charles-Cook however the Iron did level seven minutes before the break. Davies picked out Ebsfleet United loanee Shaq Coulthirst with a cross. Although he was unable to beat Reice Charles-Cook with his header, it came back out to Aaron Blair who nodded home firmly.

As the first half came to a close Crossley Lema’s shot hit the arm of Dominic Odusanya, the Iron’s recent signing from Welling, and a penalty was awarded. After a delay, Reece Grant took the responsibility and sent Jack Sims the wrong way from the spot.

However, although a minimum of three minutes additional time had been announced, Braintree equalised in the fifth minute. This time Lachlan Byrd was deemed to have handled and Coulthirst stepped up and converted.

Just as had been the case in the first half, Braintree came out the more lively and won three quick corners, the third of which was headed wide of the near post by Joseph Grimwood from Blackwell’s delivery.

Three yellow cards in six minutes were followed by two more Braintree corners before Welling settled and started to create openings. Reece Grant sent Fish away down the left hand side and he eased his way in but his attempt to slot it home was thwarted by an excellent low save by Sims.

Fish created the next opportunity with a cross that was knocked out as far as Gene Kennedy who had just come on and he flashed his first time shot wide. A Blackwell free kick then created a chance for Braintree but Ben Tompkins’ glancing header went beyond the far post.

Sims was again called upon to make a big save when Fish found Green who sent Anthony Grant away and he shot early towards the far post but the former Welling goalkeeper got across to make an excellent save.

One more chance came and went for Welling when new signing centre back Riccardo Di Trolio had an opportunity after Fish’s shot was blocked into his path. Although he struck his shot well, Sims was again equal to it with another outstanding diving save.

Whilst the two teams had to settle for a point apiece, praise should go to groundsman Jamie Honeyman, and the Welling volunteer supporters, who got drenched working on the ground in the morning to ensure that the pitch was playable for the match.

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Green, Burchell, Di Trolio, Byrd, Adigun (Foyo 82), A. Grant, Fish (Holness 88), R. Grant (Kennedy 66), Papadopoulos. Sub not used: Ellul, Krabbendam.

Goalscorers: Burchell (10), R. Grant pen (45)

Yellow card: Adigun, R. Grant, A. Grant

Braintree Town: Sims, Altintop, Davies, Blackwell (Miccio 90+2), Tompkins, Grimwood, Payne (Lambe 74), Odusanya, Coulthirst, Blair, Davis (Roberts 81). Unused sub: Wakefield.

Goalscorers: Blair (38), Coulthirst pen (45+5)

Yellow cards: Tompkins, Altintop, Miccio

Referee: Harry Wager

Assistants: Richard Joss and Billy Woods

Attendance: 680

Images courtesy of Dave Budden