Welling United 2-2 AFC Wimbledon - We're building towards promotion - Ford

Wings boss Andy Ford admitted afterwards: “I would like to have taken 3 points today, as this would have put us above them, which shows a sign of our progress.

“At the end of the day, we haven‘t got beat and we‘re on a bit of a run at the moment.”

Two-goal hero Charlie Sheringham added: “They are one of the better (teams) in the League, a threat all day, especially the front two, but I thought we dealt with it well.”

After striker Jon Main had put the Wombles one up after five minutes, with a speculative volley that beat Jamie Turner‘s despairing dive, the Welling boss would probably have looked on this as a point won, rather than reflecting on a possible two lost.

Main took advantage of a wayward header from Ryan Johnson and struck his first time shot as the ball dropped over his shoulder.

This was harsh on Johnson, who had already tested Dons keeper, Andy Little, with a 25-yard piledriver, that the keeper did well to turn aside, only for the Assistant Referee‘s flag to deny James Baker‘s follow-up.

In a frantic opening 20 minutes, both sides had chances to alter the score, with Little relieved to hold a tame shot from Sheringham, who had been released by Sanchez Ming’s pinpoint cross, before former Wing, Danny Kedwell went close twice from crosses by Main and Elliott Godfrey respectively.

Welling deservedly equalised on 23 minutes when Sheringham converted a scramble in the 6-yard box for his 8th of the season, after Little had blocked a shot from Tony Sinclair.

But, the visitors took the lead again less than 70 seconds later, when Ben Judge took advantage of hesitation by Turner, to convert an in-swinging free kick from left-back Chris Hussey.

Despite this, Welling continued to play the more patient football, with good moves across midfield setting up two half-chances for Baker, but in both cases Little was able to save comfortably on his line.

In contrast, Wimbledon started to rely more on counter-attacking football, relying on the pace and twin threat of Main and Kedwell.

Indeed both had long-range shots before the half, Main‘s straight at Turner, Kedwell‘s flashing past the keeper‘s left hand post.

Main had the chance to increase the visitors’ lead on the stroke of half-time. Taking advantage of a wayward Sinclair header, the former VCD Athletic, Cray Wanderers and Tonbridge Angels striker coolly lobbed the advancing Turner, only to see his shot cannon off the face of the bar and wide.

Welling started the second half quickly and restored parity to the scoreline on 51 minutes, when Sheringham rose from the melee in front of goal to head home Lee Blackburn‘s free kick.

With Wimbledon boss, Terry Brown calling for more commitment from his players, it was the Wings who could have taken the lead on 67 and 71 minutes.

First Loui Fazackerley‘s pace got him free in the box, but he could only stab Blackburn‘s cross past the near post. Then the forward, showing the kind of form that has interested Blue Square Premier Histon, set up Ryan Johnson, whose shot was rifled over from the edge of the box.

Kedwell almost made his former employer‘s pay with 12 minutes left, when a mistake by the otherwise outstanding Jack Parkinson, making his League debut following a loan spell at Ryman Premier League side Margate, saw the ball break free to Sam Hatton. The midfielder released Kedwell in the box, but as Sinclair got back to make a challenge, Turner smothered the ball at the striker‘s feet.

In the closing minutes, neither side could create a clear-cut chance to take the three points, so had to settle for a point; for Welling, extending their unbeaten league run to four, keeping the side in 7th place in the Blue Square South table.

Andy Ford, speaking to BBC Radio Kent after the game said: “Today I only really had 4 subs (with Rob Quinn suspended and a long injury list), 2 of them kids and one of those only 16. They‘re coming out of our reserves, so that was good for them today, and pleasing for me.

“We‘re aiming for (a play-off place) at the end of the season. I‘m not in it just to keep a team in the division so we‘ve got to go for it. We‘re building blocks and some of the later signings we‘ve made have been very good.

"It took me five years to get Gravesend up, hopefully it won‘t take that long here."

When asked specifically about Sheringham, Ford said: “He hasn‘t taken too many chances recently, but today he was playing behind two good strikers in Loui Flack (Fazackerley) and James Baker, so I think that will help him.”

Welling United: Jamie Turner, Sanchez Ming, Sonny Cobbs, Jack Parkinson (Adam Gross 78), Matthew McEntegart, Tony Sinclair, Loui Fazackerley, Lee Blackburn, James Baker, Charlie Sheringham, Ryan Johnson.
Subs : Orlando Smith, Michael McEntegart, James Morgan, Ayden Richards.

Goals : Charlie Sheringham 23, 51

Bookings : James Baker 38, Charlie Sheringham 48

AFC Wimbledon: Andy Little, Luke Garrard, Chris Hussey, Kennedy Adjei, Jason Goodliffe, Ben Judge, Sam Hatton, Tom Davis (Alan Inns 58), Danny Kedwell, Jon Main, Elliott Godfrey (Anthony Finn 58).
Subs: James Pullen, Jake Leberl, Michael Haswell.

Goals : Jon Main 5, Ben Judge 24

Bookings : Ben Judge 42, Tom Davis

Attendance: 1,625
Referee: Mr Lee Venamore (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Glen Tilley (Basildon, Essex) & Mr Mr Michael Cottee (Hornchurch, Essex)