A disappointing defeat this to lowly Hampton & Richmond. After the Summer squad clearcut, the Wings have started the season slowly but owner and manager, Mark Goldberg, has continued to strengthen his squad and an upturn in performances has been visible, if not sustained yet in results. It was for that reason that I fancied the Wings to make light of the opposition this afternoon.
However, on a grim day with continual drizzle, Welling didn't really take control of the game and the visitors stood up to the challenge. It was well contested and largely fought in midfield which restricted goal-scoring opportunities at both ends. Bradley Goldberg flashed a shot inches over the bar having taken the ball down well and pressed on and the Wings had Captain Swaine to thank for a last-ditch tackle which stopped Orsi-Dadomo from striking when through on goal. Other than that Welling struggled in the open ing half to find the front pairing through open play or to reach the head of the towering Ejiro Okosieme whenever they got a set-piece.
Kicking towards the Park View Road, I expected some pressure from Welling in the second-half but it didn't come. The visitors actually stepped up began to exert some pressure on the Wings defence. Jack Jebb was introduced and Josh Oyinsan also came on but little changed for Welling. Inevitably, Hampton and Richmond snatched the lead with fifteen minutes left when they nodded home from a corner. It was almost disappointing to see that the Wings appeared able to step it up in the final ten minutes when they forced a number of corners and six-yard scrambles. They ran out of time and you were left wondering why they didn't try it earlier in the game.
Goldberg must be frustrated at the moment but Welling just have to persevere and find the right combination. Adam Coombes has looked a bit half-hearted in the last few games and maybe a bit short of pace. Nathan Green didn't create anywhere near as much as Anthony Cook on the other wing and Waldren and Widdrington were stuck in the engine room for much of the game.
I note that struggling Dartford won away at Oxford City today on Steve King's first day with the Darts. The talk today was about how good a bet Dartford may be to climb the table under King and make a challenge. Can't help feeling they may leap-frog the Wings and Steve King may be left with a wry smile come April...
However, on a grim day with continual drizzle, Welling didn't really take control of the game and the visitors stood up to the challenge. It was well contested and largely fought in midfield which restricted goal-scoring opportunities at both ends. Bradley Goldberg flashed a shot inches over the bar having taken the ball down well and pressed on and the Wings had Captain Swaine to thank for a last-ditch tackle which stopped Orsi-Dadomo from striking when through on goal. Other than that Welling struggled in the open ing half to find the front pairing through open play or to reach the head of the towering Ejiro Okosieme whenever they got a set-piece.
Kicking towards the Park View Road, I expected some pressure from Welling in the second-half but it didn't come. The visitors actually stepped up began to exert some pressure on the Wings defence. Jack Jebb was introduced and Josh Oyinsan also came on but little changed for Welling. Inevitably, Hampton and Richmond snatched the lead with fifteen minutes left when they nodded home from a corner. It was almost disappointing to see that the Wings appeared able to step it up in the final ten minutes when they forced a number of corners and six-yard scrambles. They ran out of time and you were left wondering why they didn't try it earlier in the game.
Goldberg must be frustrated at the moment but Welling just have to persevere and find the right combination. Adam Coombes has looked a bit half-hearted in the last few games and maybe a bit short of pace. Nathan Green didn't create anywhere near as much as Anthony Cook on the other wing and Waldren and Widdrington were stuck in the engine room for much of the game.
I note that struggling Dartford won away at Oxford City today on Steve King's first day with the Darts. The talk today was about how good a bet Dartford may be to climb the table under King and make a challenge. Can't help feeling they may leap-frog the Wings and Steve King may be left with a wry smile come April...
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