Hampton & Richmond Borough 2 Welling United 2
by Matthew Panting
A late goal from Jack Obersteller rescued a point for Welling at
Hampton in Blue Square South on Tuesday night.
Obersteller finished off a neat move involving Tony Finn and Tom
Whitnell by firing home from 20 yards with seven minutes left.
It was the second time that Welling came from behind in a game
they dominated for long periods.
In a contrast of footballing styles, Welling's neat passing came
up against a route-one Hampton side, who kept plenty of defenders
back even when in possession.
Sam Hurrell went close early on but Hampton took the lead
against the run of play in the 22nd minute when Karl Beckford's
corner was headed in by the unmarked Dean Inman.
Welling responded and after Lee Clarke's header was blocked, Tom
Whitnell's close-range effort was cleared off the line.
Subjected to a robust Hampton side, Welling received little
protection from the referee, who harshly dealt Clarke a yellow card
before half-time while allowing worst offences to go unpunished,
especially in the second half.
It took Welling eight minutes of the second half to equalise
when Pugh - who was then taken out by his marker - fed Whitnell and
his low shot went beyond keeper Matt Lovett for his 13th goal of
the season.
Mitten then denied Yaku but he had no chance 14 minutes from
time when Clarke was caught in possession and Nathan Collier strode
forward before unleashing an unstoppable right-foot shot into the
bottom corner.
Welling deservedly levelled but their inexperience showed at
times as they were caught forcing the pace too many times instead
of taking a more patient approach.
Wednesday, February 10 2010