Despite plenty of endeavour by both sides Welling United’s August Bank Holiday Monday Vanarama National League South fixture at Hornchurch ended in a stalemate.

Two days earlier, on a pitch made slick by constant drizzle, Rod Stringer’s Wings ended Farnborough’s one hundred percent record with an emphatic four-one victory. However, on a rock hard bumpy surface at the Hornchurch Stadium, they struggled to create clear cut chances and failed to make the most of the few opportunities that they had.

In the early exchanges, defences held sway as both teams tried to work each other out, and over twenty minutes had passed before an opening was created by the hosts. Femi Akinwande found space in the penalty area and his fierce drive was blocked by the outstretched leg of Welling captain Dave Winfield. It came back out to him but goalkeeper Rhys Lovett spread himself to beat it out and Ben Wells tidied up.

Elliot Long had an effort for the Wings when slid in by Jack Burchell, but was unable to keep his shot down before Martell Taylor-Crossdale slotted home, only to be thwarted by an offside flag. Long had another chance to shoot when set up by Anthony Grant and it took a good diving save by West Ham United loanee goalkeeper, Mason Terry, to keep it out at the cost of a corner.

However, it wasn’t all one way, and two long range efforts by Charlee Adams whistled past the post although Lovett appeared to have them both covered.

Early in the second half, the impressive Sean Scannell flashed a shot over for Hornchurch before Welling’s Gene Kennedy broke and fired a cross-shot just beyond the far post with the stretching Daniel Martin unable to reach it to touch it home.

As the game drifted towards a close, Welling missed a golden opportunity when Chiori Johnson picked out Reece Grant with a great cross. Disappointingly for the travelling Wings fans, the substitute’s radar was off and his header flew well wide.

Liam Nash had a final effort for the home team in the last minute of stoppage time when he turned and shot from the edge of the penalty area however, Lovett was equal to it when he dived to hold on.

Although disappointed not to claim all three points, four out of six over the Bank Holiday was a decent return for Welling.

Welling United: Lovell, Johnson, Martin, Burchell, Winfield, Wells, A. Grant (Cornish 74), Kennedy, Chukwu (R. Grant 68), Long (Bramble 57), Taylor-Crossdale. Substitutes not used: Mensah, Borg.