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Welling United 0 Maidstone United 0 match report: Honours even at Park View Road

21:47, 24 October 2023

updated: 21:48, 24 October 2023

A frantic National League South clash between Welling and Maidstone ended in a draw.

George Elokobi’s side bossed possession but the Wings had the better chances in a goalless game.

Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Steve Terrell

The point extended the Stones’ unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions while it was a welcome clean sheet for the hosts after Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at Torquay.

Dominic Odusanya captained Welling against his old club as Danny Bloor made three changes from the weekend.

Stones boss George Elokobi made four changes after their 1-1 draw with Farnborough, including a start for Chi Ezennolim against the club he left in the summer.

There were few chances in a goalless first half that lacked a bit of quality at times, but there was a fair old tempo to the play.

Maidstone dominated possession against a Wings side who started the game five points from safety, putting the ball into good areas at times without being able to get frontmen Sol Wanjau-Smith into it enough.

Devonte Aransibia had a shot blocked after Wanjau-Smith squared, Sam Bone tried his luck from the edge of the box and Amantchi saw a header easily saved.

That was about it from Maidstone although they appeared to have the physical edge on the hosts.

Welling, despite their limited possession, went closest to breaking the deadlock, with Lucas Covolan getting down to keep out Lewis White’s strike, while ex-Margate right-back Crossley Lema went close with a rasping drive.

Wanjau-Smith made an opening for himself early in the second half after Covolan kept the ball in play.

He dumped Jack Burchell on his backside on a terrific run down the right before firing at Pitterson, and his follow-up was blocked on the line.

Excellent defending from Lachlan Byrd took the ball off Aransibia’s toe when played in Wanjau-Smith soon after as Maidstone threatened to make their possession count.

Once again, though, for the minimal amount they saw of the ball, Welling created another good opening as Tristan Abrahams set up White but Covolan made the stop.

Amantchi tested Pitterson at his near post at the other end but that was his last action before making way for on-loan Gillingham teenager Joe Gbode.

Welling began to open the game up in the final 15 minutes, perhaps sensing there was a goal in it for them.

Reiss Greenidge made a goal-saving tackle after Antony Papadopoulos released Adom and his follow-up hit the inside of the post.

Welling had another big chance in added time when Papadopoulos found Lema in space but Covolan stood up well to make the save.

Welling: Pitterson, Lema, Green, Odusanya, White (Tanga 72mins), Adom, Bramble (Papadopoulos 61mins), Kassarate, Burchell, Abrahams, Byrd. Subs not used: Idem, Curran, Tanga, Muwonge.

Maidstone: Covolan, Hoyte, Fowler, Greenidge, Kyprianou (Coleman De-Graft 68mins), Bone, Corne, Aransibia, Ezennolim (Brown 72mins), Wanjau-Smith, Amantchi (Gbode 78mins). Subs not used: Earle, Petrasso.

Referee: Morgan Conn.

Attendance: 818.

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