Welling United 0 Eastleigh 0 – Wings unlucky not to clinch FA Cup first round spot

BY MARK DOIG

Although their league form is not what it might be, Welling United are enjoying their FA Cup run and were unlucky not to claim a National League scalp when Eastleigh visited.

Dan Wilks, in the Welling goal, didn’t have a shot on target to save whilst Max Stryjek made a string of good saves at the other end.

In their previous two games which were against teams from lower league leagues they scored eleven goals and were hopeful of adding to their tally against their Hampshire visitors.

Wings manager Mark Goldberg gave Jack Jebb his first start of the season and brought Sanchez Ming back into the line-up after his suspension and both justified their inclusion with excellent performances.

Jebb gave Cook an early chance to send a low ball across the six yard box but Bradley Goldberg was unable to apply the final touch as he slid in.

Tyrone Barnett then headed wide from a Jack Payne long throw before having a shot blocked after Scott Rendell brought down a long ball skilfully then laid it off.

Ming went on a long run down the wing and burst into the penalty area but Stryjek made an excellent block as he fired it in. A melee ensued and it found its way to Danny Waldren whose shot had the sting taken out of it by a half block but it still needed Stryjek to make a good save.

Once more Stryjek came to Eastleigh’s rescue when saving Anderson’s firm downward header from Ming’s cross. Anderson then almost picked out the late arriving Adam Coombes but he couldn’t get the touch he wanted.

Early in the second period, Barnett headed wide for the Spitfires from Payne’s corner then Danny Hollands fizzed a volley just over.

However, Welling, and Jebb in particular, were still asking most of the questions and Waldren lost his marker but headed Jebb’s corner wide.

Rob Swaine then slung in a long ball that Coombes tried to meet with a diving header but wasn’t quite able to reach it before a moment of big controversy.

Cook went on a long run and as he burst into the box he was clipped as he was about to shoot and fell to the ground. The referee turned away Welling’s appeals but as no defensive contact had been made on the ball, it seemed strange that the Welling winger wasn’t cautioned for simulation.

Coombes had a low drive from wide well saved by Stryjek after good work by Jebb, and with the Welling midfielder continuing to pull the strings, Cook collected his pass on the left wing and cut in nut his miss-directed shot flew well wide.

An earlier injury to Michael Green resulted in him being carried off on a stretcher so there were eight additional minutes to break the deadlock.

Cavaghn Miley fired beyond the far post for Eastleigh before Welling had another shout for a penalty when Coombes was tumbled off the ball. Again nothing was given.

There was one last hope for Welling when Goldberg broke away but he was forced wide by Rob Atkinson and shot into the defender.

Welling United: Wilks, Ming, Anderson (Green 84), Dymond, Swaine, Okosieme, Jebb (Widdrington 84)), Waldren, Goldberg, Coombes, Green. Subs not used: Copeland, Rich-Baghuelou, Agyemang, Oyinsan, Ryan.

PICTURE BY DAVE BUDDEN