Tasmin Miah reports from the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium

Welling United were made to settle for a point from a goalless draw against St Albans City at the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium on Saturday.

Despite dominating proceedings for the majority of the game, the Wings could not find that cutting edge in front of goal to turn one point into three.

The first-half portrayed multiple chances from the hosts, as they also proved to be the more dominant side.

Welling’s newly-signed Adam Roscrow saw his debut cut short after 10 minutes due to an injury with Alex MacAllister replacing him in due course.

Moments later, Cameron Green had an opportunity for goal, but he crossed low, and the Saints cleared it. MacAllister also looked to capitalise on a messy pass out from the back, but it did not suffice.

 Shortly afterwards, Jephte Tanga came close as he pushed his way down the right, but his shot went just wide from inside the box. James Vaughan also had a chance for goal, but keeper Michael Johnson saved his low effort.

 The Wings continued to push, passing the ball around, keeping possession and also remained patient throughout as they hoped to put one in the net by half-time. However, just before the half ended, Lewis White’s opportunity was saved by the Saints keeper.

 It was all Welling in the first half, while the opposition’s chances were very limited as they seemed to struggle to find the opportunities for themselves. The game remained goalless at half time.

 During the second half of this game, Welling maintained their dominance throughout in terms of possession, but created less in front of goal. Vaughan took a powerful free kick, which stung the palms of Johnson.

At the 60-minute mark, Tanga also saw a chance for goal although his shot went narrowly wide.

At the other end, James fired a shot towards Ben Winterbottom who kept Welling away from conceding one. 

Shortly after, Kain Adom was thought to be tripped over in the box, as there were big shouts for a penalty, but the appeals were waved away.

Just before the 90-minute mark, sub Shaun Jeffers fired a free kick from just outside the box, and it was saved with big confidence by Winterbottom.

In the added minutes of the second half, St Albans had shown a change in energy as they fought through to try and get a goal for themselves, however, their efforts were not enough to allow them snatch victory.

Despite all the efforts from both teams, the game ended in a draw and the Wings could take the positives of seven points from their last three games. 

Welling United: Winterbottom, Lema, Green, Roscrow (MacAllister 11), Vaughan (Kassarate 81), Odusanya, White (Adom 73), Papadopoulos, Burchell, Tanga, Byrd

Subs not used: Olomowewe, Kamara

Booked: Papadopolous 19 (foul), Tanga 84 (foul)

St Albans City: Johnson, James, Brown, Smith, Clark, Blackman, Rasulo, Weiss, Georgiou (Jeffers 78), Fage (Lawal 57), Wyatt

Subs not used: Dunn, Carlyle, Da Silva

Booked: Wyatt 44 (foul on Tanga), Brown 60 (foul on Tanga)

Referee: Ayrton Hursey

 Att: 521 

(Photo: Dave Budden)