Welling United 1-2 Woking - Defensive injuries cost us - admits positive Ford

Saturday 08th August 2009

WELLING UNITED 1-2 WOKING
Blue Square South
Saturday 8th August 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road

WELLING UNITED boss Andy Ford highlighted that losing both of his central defenders through injury proved to be their downfall - as they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to full-time Woking on the opening day of the new Blue Square South season.

Things got off to an excellent start for the Kent side, as they took the lead inside the opening three minutes through Dean Cracknell’s penalty, but Graeme Andrews (groin) and Steve King (knee) were later forced off through injury.

Despite Welling showing excellent battling qualities for 75 minutes, Woking grabbed victory with two goals in the space of four minutes towards the end, as Aswad Thomas’ bullet header (76 minutes) and a Guiseppe Sole penalty left a sour taste.

Ford handed SEVEN players their debuts against Woking, who as expected fielded ex Wings Tony Sinclair, Harry Arter and Moses Ademola, with Ford’s number two, Jimmy Dack issuing instructions from the away dug-out.

Andy Sambrook (Grays Athletic), Michael Deane, King (Bishop’s Stortford), Jeff Minton (Chelmsford City), Lee Clarke (St Albans City), Tony Finn (AFC Wimbledon) and Cracknell (St Albans City) all started for the Wings for the very first time.

Kick-off was delayed for a few moments as the sun-kissed crowd of 844 - boosted by the vocal Woking contingent, supported the one-minute’s applause for the late Bobby Robson, who sadly died of cancer last week.

But it was the Welling contingent that were celebrating shortly afterwards, as their side broke the deadlock early on.

Finn’s trickery resulted in him being bundled over by Thomas, and despite referee Paul Forrester waving away the penalty appeals, his assistant on the Welling stand side flagged and the Luton whistleblower pointed to the spot.

Cracknell stepped up and sent goalkeeper Ross Worner the wrong way, firing a right-footed penalty into the bottom right-hand corner, opening his account for his new side.

With Woking right-winger Luke Medley and striker Ademola causing Welling problems with their pace, they couldn’t get through a solid and hardworking Welling side that battled in key areas off the pitch.

But when Andrews hobbled off through injury after 17 minutes, Cedric Ngakam came off the bench, and he was at fault for what turned out to be Woking’s late winner.

But Woking squandered an excellent chance to draw level after 23 minutes.

Former Ebbsfleet United midfielder Sole slipped the ball forward to the lively Ademola, who got the better of Ngakam to centre for Medley, who fluffed his lines from just outside the six-yard box, and instead off Charlie Mitten picking the ball out of his net, the goalkeeper made a comfortable save from a mis-hit effort.

Welling almost grabbed a second after 28 minutes. Midfielder Cracknell rode a challenge from Arter and burst past Mark Ricketts, formerly of Ebbsfleet United, and found himself on the edge of the penalty area, and instead of going for goal himself, laid the ball to the unfit Clarke, but Sinclair read the danger and cleared.

Both goalkeeper’s weren’t tested in a warm conditions, but Ryan Johnson flashed a left-footed drive just past the right-hand post from 25-yards as the first half wore on.

Welling’s determination to keep their lead intact was evident in the 52nd minute - as Woking created their best chance of the game.

Medley cut in from the right and slipped the ball behind the Welling defence for Ademola to latch onto and thought he has levelled as he poked the ball past Mitten.

Expecting to celebrate his first goal of the season, he was thwarted by an excellent goal-line clearance from Welling central defender Jack Parkinson, who came from nowhere to slide the ball off the line, beside the foot of the post.

Welling almost snatched a second goal on the hour when Cracknell released left-back Michael Deane and his whipped in cross was met first time by substitute Jake Hobbs at the near post, but the ball screamed wide.

Ademola, who has joined Woking on a six-month loan deal from League One side Brentford, got the better of Ngakam and slipped the ball to Sole, who was lurking inside the box, but a combination of two defenders and Mitten kept Woking at bay.

But despite surviving a couple of dangerous set-pieces, Welling conceded a 76th minute equaliser via this method.

With Sole’s previous two free-kick’s bouncing off well-placed defensive walls, Medley took charge of free-kick duties and the ball looped up and via substitute Delano Sam-Yorke, Thomas powered his header across Mitten and into the bottom far corner from 12-yards.

Left-back Thomas immediately ripped off his shirt and raced towards the jubilant Woking supporters - who knew their side had just got out of jail.

Referee Forrester picked up the yellow shirt off the lush playing surface and handed it back to it’s owner.

But a point turned to despair for brave Welling, as Woking snatched victory just four minutes later.

Ngakam, who played for Ryman League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet last season, was adjudged to have fouled Sole, who cut in along the right by-line.

And Sole broke Welling’s hearts as he beat Mitten’s despairing dive, finding the bottom left-hand corner from the spot.

Cracknell’s 30-yard drive sailed agonisingly over the Woking crossbar in the last couple of minutes - but Ford knows his side failed to create any clear cut chances against a Woking side that thought they had won the title at the final whistle.

“We had a few little injuries out there today that sort of played a little role,” admitted Ford, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Our two centre backs were out and then Finny (Achillies) in the end and that didn’t go with us.

“I thought the first half we might’ve shaded it. I thought we looked quite strong but the way it’s finished, that was a bit gutting.

“We gave so many free-kicks away in vital areas. Both goals - Cedric (Ngakam) got done in the corner, which he shouldn’t have got done and then he’s (Sole) in the penalty area.”

And speaking about Sole’s penalty decision, Ford added, “I thought it was a harsh decision really for the linesman to make. He (Sole) shouldn’t really have got there.

“The other goal was from a set piece. We gave a set piece (away), one of many, just around the edge of the penalty area, which is always dangerous.

“I thought the wall defended all the free-kick’s quite well, but the second phase in that one and they’ve scored.

“Both goals were silly ones to give away.”

But their were plenty of positives for Ford to take from Welling’s opening day defeat.

“They worked their nuts off,” he said. “I’ve just made a list in there of their good points and their bad points and they’ve all said that they’ve worked their nuts off - and they did!

“But it was just maybe a bit of quality sometimes that we lacked in the final third.”

In a rare interview with an opposing manager, www.kentishfootball.co.uk also spoke to Woking manager Graham Baker, who admitted Welling’s injuries helped his side claim an opening day win.

“I think the turning point was Welling unfortunately losing two centre backs,” he said. “That’s never easy for any team - we know because both our centre backs are out at the moment, so we know how difficult it is to fill.

“During the game that disrupts your rhythm, which is obviously a problem and it disrupts the shape as well and they were forced to change their shape, which they never wanted to do, so that went in our favour as well.”

Baker was pleased that his young side came away from Kent with the points in the bag.

“Obviously you want to hit the ground running and get off to a winning start,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game because they had a great home record last season and they’re very good at home.

“We played well first half, created chances, didn’t put them away, and got punished with a bit of sloppy defending on a penalty.

“I think the penalties were right to be fair,” he added. “I thought the linesman got it right, initially the referee didn’t give their one, but the linesman was right on the spot and was correct. And I thought ours was a genuine penalty as well.”

Baker says his side go into Tuesday night’s home game against Chelmsford City full of beans.

“It’s always nice to come away with something from your first game and that way you go into your next game with a little bit more confidence,” he said.

“What you don’t want to do is lose the first two or three and then you’re on the back foot. Confidence wise you’re on the back foot with a young group of boys.

“I’m pleased with the endeavour, pleased with the honesty, pleased with the fitness levels and we looked strong in both halves.”

Welling United: Charlie Mitten, Andy Sambrook, Michael Deane, Jack Parkinson, Steve King (Jake Hobbs 53), Graeme Andrews (Cedric Ngakam 17), Ryan Johnson, Jeff Minton, Lee Clarke (Lueureux Menga 46), Tony Finn, Dean Cracknell.

Subs: Loui Fazackerley, Sam Hurrell.

Goal: Dean Cracknell 3 (pen)

Booked: Cedric Ngakam 72, Jake Hobbs 80

Woking: Ross Worner, Rikki Anane, Aswad Thomas, Mark Ricketts, Daniel Sintim, Tony Sinclair, Luke Medley (Charles Moone 81), Harry Arter (Billy Hussey 67), Moses Ademola, Guiseppe Sole, Sam Sloma (Delano Sam-Yorke 57)

Subs: Matt Pegler, Joe McNerney.

Goals: Aswad Thomas 76, Guiseppe Sole 80 (pen)

Booked: Tony Sinclair 45, Harry Arter 56

Attendance: 844

Referee: Mr Paul Forrester (Luton, Bedfordshire)

Assistants: Mr Maurice Cook (Braintree, Essex) & Mr Jim Pope (Braintree, Essex)