Welling’s pre-season build-up continues with defeat at Cray Valley

On Saturday, Welling United continued their pre-season training with a match at Cray Valley (PM).

Manager Rod Stringer and assistant manager Kevin Watson began their warm-up with several trial players in their victory at Sittingbourne. Since then they have gradually reduced the players who have been offered a term and those who have been let go to pursue other opportunities, with just a handful remaining.

Since the Sittingbourne match, further friendlies have been played against Leyton Orient XI (home), Dover Athletic (away), Erith and Belvedere (away) and Bishop’s Stortford (away). Performances and results have been mixed but are not crucial as formations and players are tested.

However, Stringer was unhappy with their performance in their match at Cray Valley’s Arctic Stadium, with his debriefing lasting over thirty minutes before he voiced his displeasure to Wings TV.

They could hardly have started worse than falling behind with less than a minute on the clock. Hassan Ibrahiym fired from thirty-five yards and the ball flew into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Javarn Pitterson with no chance.

Within minutes Welling had a goal disallowed when Reece Grant sent Anointed Chukwu through after a clever move and he fired the ball home, only for the assistant referee to see his flag go up for what was surely a very difficult offside decision.

Grant’s pressure then saw a defender play the ball back to Millers’ keeper Max Ovenden, who hesitated long enough to deny Grant and round him. He was also shocked to see his shot come back off the post. He had another chance shortly afterwards, but he fired his shot into the side netting.

Michael Ademiluyi fired wide of the near post for the home side before Chukwu missed a great chance with a close-range volley after brilliant work from Oscar Borg. Ibrahiym came close to doubling the Millers’ lead just before half-time but his shot deflected off the crossbar.

After the break, Cray had more possession without causing Pitterson too much trouble. Ademiluyi shot over twice before one of their substitutes, Freddie Parker, also failed to stop his shot. The Welling keeper had to make a save from Ademiluyi, but it was the Wings who drew the next blood.

Two substitutes combined as Cameron Andrews found Gene Kennedy in the penalty area, who created space and then fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later, and with seven minutes to go, the Millers regained their lead. A corner was not cleared and Danny Waldren’s shot was blocked in the direction of Matt Vigor who swept it in.

Chukwu could have equalised moments later when Andrews and Kennedy combined to clear him, but with only the substitute to pass, he fired wide with his foot.

There were no further chances and Stringer will have to make decisions on the remaining trial players with two friendlies remaining,

Welling United: Pitterson, Johnson, Borg, Birchall, Trialist, Wells, Munns, A. Grant, Chukwu, R. Grant, Cornish. Substitutes: Lovett, Andrews, Kennedy, H. Walker, Trialist.