There was a rare Friday night game for Welling United when the visited Aveley in the Vanarama National League South points.

Coming into the game, Welling had recovered from defeats in five consecutive league and cup games by winning at Slough Town and drawing with Tonbridge Angels. However, a loss against Aveley would have put them back in trouble as their opponents had won earlier in the week, and a victory over the Wings would have brought them to within three points having played a game fewer.

When Welling visited Aveley last season, they were reduced to ten men towards half time and then went behind before rescuing a point in the second half. This time around, it was the hosts who had a man sent off nine minutes before the break but still managed to go ahead. However, the Wings scored a late equaliser to salvage a point.

In the early stages, the Millers won a host of corners but made nothing of them and they only had a Razzaq Coleman De-Graft shot from twenty yards that was well off target to show for their efforts.

Zain Walker then created Welling’s first opening with a long run and pass to Garrett Kelly and the midfielder, who started the season at Aveley, saw his shot deflect off Joel Thompson just wide of the near post with goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn committed to diving in the other direction. Kelly again went close without knowing too much about it when Chiori Johnson’s driven in cross struck him and ricocheted into the grateful arms of Bloedorn.

Josh Anifowose crossed low to Manny Ogunrinde but he was unable to turn it home before the former was dismissed. His high boot caught Dave Winfield flush in the face giving the referee no option other than to show him a red card. Winfield had to leave the field for further treatment and the first half ended with both teams a man short.

Winfield came back out for the start of the second period but the referee was not happy that the flow of blood had been stemmed and instructed him to leave the field for further repairs. Six minutes later, the Welling captain was allowed to return and from that point onwards, they had the one man advantage.

However, Aveley still attacked and Coleman De-Graft came in late at the far post only for Lovett to get across to make the block. At the other end, Josh Redfearn came close to putting Welling ahead when shooting just wide with Bloedorn a mere spectator.

Moments later, Aveley went ahead. Hamza Semakula crossed, Coleman De-Graft’s shot was blocked, and it fell to David Kawa who fired home. Unfortunately for him, he fell awkwardly and needed lengthy treatment for an elbow injury. Eventually, a stretcher was requested and he was carried off to be replaced by Ibby Akanbi.

Another Semakula cross almost created a second goal for the Millers when Akanbi met it with a diving header that was brilliantly tipped over by Lovett.

After that, Welling had plenty of possession without creating many clear cut chances. Substitute Elliott Long played a clever pass to Gene Kennedy who scuffed his shot a little, and it went wide. Kennedy then delivered a corner that Winfield met but could not get the power to trouble Bloedorn.

Just as it started to look as if Welling were going to go home empty handed, they equalised. Alex Lankshear crossed deep and picked out Long. He controlled it in the corner of the penalty area and fired towards the near post and Bloedorn was unable to keep it out.

Upon seeing the fourth official raise the board indicating a minimum of thirteen added minutes, Welling upped the tempo. Jack Burchell shot well over then Bloedorn struggled with a cross and it came out to Anthony Grant. He struck his shot well but the Millers’ goalkeeper recovered to hold on.

Kennedy headed just wide of the far post from Maxwell Statham’s cross before his first time shot flew wide. Winfield had a late header saved before the referee brought proceedings to a close after fifteen and a half minutes of stoppage time.

Such is the way that the fixtures have fallen, combined with Welling’s early Trophy exit, that at the end of their three matches in six days spell, they were left with fifteen days without a match other than a Kent Senior Cup tie at Phoenix Sports.

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Statham 55), Osew (Grant 86), Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Kelly (Taylor-Crossdale 55), Wells (Bramble 65), Redfearn, Walker (Long 72), Kennedy. Subs not used: None.