Jon Main beats Sutton keeper Kevin Scriven to give Welling a 2-1 lead

by Matthew Panting

Welling’s improved second-half performance saw them collect a point against Sutton in Blue Square Bet South on Monday.

The Wings were totally outplayed for 45 minutes and had keeper Sam Mott to thank for not trailing more than the one goal they did at half-time.

But a change of formation saw a change of fortune in the second half and they could have easily won all three points had it not been for a missed Harry Baker penalty and a glaring defensive error.

Welling forced three corners in the first three minutes but were behind as early as the fifth minute when sloppy defending allowed Sutton in behind and Harry Beautyman scored from close range.

Mott then twice denied Kezie Ibe and the Wings keeper tipped Tom Kavanagh’s effort over the bar on the stroke of half-time.

Welling had a goal disallowed six minutes after the break when the offside flag ruled out Anthony Acheampong’s header.

The Wings were back on level terms just after the hour when Kiernan Hughes-Mason went down in the box and Joe Healy tucked away the spot-kick.

The Wings were awarded another penalty two minutes later but, after Lee Clarke missed two spot-kicks against Dartford this season, the instructions from the sidelines were for a change of penalty taker. Harry Baker stepped forward but his penalty was beaten away by Kevin Scriven.

Welling continued to press and Theo Fairweather-Johnson was denied by a fine one-handed save before substitute Jon Main showed a great turn of pace before slotting under Scriven to put the Wings in front with 15 minutes left.

Sutton made a double substitution with 10 minutes left and it paid off moments later when Jack Obersteller missed his header and Craig Watkins crossed for Kyle Vassell to score.

Both teams continued to go for the win but, as was the case in two meetings at Park View Road last season, there was nothing to choose between the teams by the final whistle.