Newport County 0-0 Welling United

WELLING United set off on their long trek to Wales hoping for success at struggling Newport County.

However, motorway accidents caused the journey to take six hours and force referee Andy Newell to delay the kick-off by 25 minutes, disrupting the pre-match routines of both clubs.

When the game eventually started, both teams struggled to come to terms with the strong wind and after each had failed to make anything of a corner, Welling decided to change tactics with a short one.

The ploy nearly paid dividends as Lee Blackburn’s deep cross picked out Matthew McEntegart, who was denied by a brilliant reaction save from Glyn Thompson.

Another dangerous looking Blackburn cross caused mayhem in the Newport defence before a rare attack by the hosts was thwarted by the alertness of Jamie Turner coming out of goal to clear before Craig Hughes could collect a long punt forward.

Sanchez Ming fired wide from distance as Thompson scrambled along his goal line and Ryan Johnson also failed to hit the target following a good move involving Jerome Anderson and Charlie Sheringham.

James Baker was the next Welling player to shoot wide after finding himself in an excellent position.

Newport then had a real let off when a wind assisted corner came back off the inside of the far post before a counter attack caused Turner to make a save from Craig Reid.

Wings skipper Rob Quinn, returning from injury, organised much from his central midfield position but was shown the yellow card for an aggressive challenge.

A further good Welling move, which included fine work by Anderson, Blackburn and Baker, gave Sheringham a sight of goal.

Sadly, he could not find sufficient power to trouble Thompson unduly.

The hosts fashioned a couple of half chances just before half-time from set pieces.

First, Ashley Vickers headed back across goal for Paul Hall to put an overhead kick wide and then Vickers himself scuffed a shot the wrong side of the near post.

Vickers was cautioned early in the second half before Danny Rose hit a long range free-kick over the bar and had another shot blocked bravely by Tony Sinclair.

Baker looked to have broken through, but was stopped by an excellent tackle by Vickers.

Another chance was lost when a harsh offside flag against Anderson, feeding on a Johnson pass, caused the referee to blow his whistle before Anderson had netted.

More chances were made and missed as Baker had a header blocked and Sheringham had another header easily saved.

Welling almost paid the ultimate price for not making the most of their territorial advantage when Turner was forced to make an outstanding save from Reid.

The visitors finished the stronger, but Sheringham could not find the target with his header after good set up work by Baker, while Blackburn and Baker were unable to finish the final opportunity of the afternoon, fashioned by Sonny Cobbs.

Welling: Turner, Ming, Cobbs, Quinn, Matthew McEntegart, Sinclair, Anderson, Blackburn, Baker, Sheringham, Johnson. Subs not used: Chappell, Green, Stevens, Gross and Andrews. Att: 800