Dover Athletic 3 Welling United 2
Dover's Calum Willock makes it 2-2 against
Welling with an overhead kick at Crabble on
Saturday
Picture: Tony Flashman
by Matthew Panting
Chris Kinnear worked his magic as Dover ended Welling's 12-match
winning run in Blue Square Bet South on Saturday.
An all-action affair saw the visitors lead twice before
substitute Billy Bricknell nodded in an 85th minute winner for
Whites and hand boss Kinnear a second win in two games in
charge.
Barry Cogan blazed over the bar inside the first minute before
Welling's outstanding player, Joe Healy, put his team ahead inside
five minutes. Ross Lafayetee's knockdown fell invitingly for Healy
just outside the area and he produced an unstoppable 20-yard
left-foot drive beyond keeper Mitch Walker.
Dover's response was immediate as Welling let a long throw-in
bounce inside their penalty area and Ben May forced the ball home
from close range.
Welling played the better football, their neat exchange and
movement which had become a cornerstone of their winning streak was
again to the fore. One such move nearly paid dividends in the 23rd
minute when full-back Barney Williams exchanged passes with Kiernan
Hughes-Mason and Healy's sidefoot finish was deflected wide by
Lloyd Harrington.
The visitors restored their lead just before the half-hour as a
corner was not cleared and Hughes-Mason's low drive saw
Harrington's attempted clearance hit Lee Clarke and loop into the
net.
Dover nearly replied immediately but Sam Mott saved Moses
Ademola's low drive and May's close-range header was deflected wide
by Ben Martin.
Another flowing move from Welling on the stroke of half-time
nearly extended their lead as Jake Gallagher, Healy and Jack
Obersteller worked their way down the left-wing, only for Mitchell
to turn behind Obersteller's low left-foot drive.
Dover levelled matters on 55 minutes when a corner was never
cleared and substitute Calum Willock's close-range overhead kick
proved too good for Mott.
Although Dover had the upper hand after the break, chances were
at a premium at both ends although substitute Steven Thomson was
stopped in his tracks by an offside flag after an impressive break
by Cogan with 12 minutes left.
That should have served as a warning for Welling, instead Dover
repeated the trick with five minutes left to find the winner.
Presented with a shooting chance, Willock appeared to have run
the ball too far but his cross was perfect for Bricknell to head in
unmarked five yards out.
Welling could have levelled in stoppage time but substitute Theo
Fairweather-Johnson's hesistation let in Tyrone Sterling to make a
last-ditch tackle and clear the danger.
11/02/13
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