Heavy rain was the winner of the game between Dover Athletic and Welling United for their first respective games in 2016.
When the teams met one week earlier at Park View Road, Dover were comprehensive winners despite the 2-1 scoreline. However, in the return fixture, Welling were by far the better team before persistent rainfall was too much for the Crabble ground.
Chris Kinnear, Dover’s manager, had no qualms with the referee’s decision to abandon the match on 68 minutes and commented before the final whistle would have been blown “He was right to call it off. It is still raining. You only need to look at the pitch now. It would have been a harder decision to make if one of the teams was 1-0 up”
Welling United’s manager Loui Fazakerley was in complete agreement even though it means the club will now have to travel south for a midweek fixture.
His team came out far more lively than the hosts and came close early on when Sahr Kabba, restored to the starting line up, had an effort hacked off the line by Sean Raggett after coming back off the post.
Ricky Wellard headed wide from a Ben Jefford free kick.
He then tested Andy Rafferty, and although the Whites’ keeper could not hold the shot on the slick surface, Kabba was unable to squeeze home the rebound.
George Porter met a Kabba cross with a firm header that was tipped over acrobatically by Rafferty and Wellard headed wide from close range when meeting a deep free kick.
Toby Ajala, who played for Welling two seasons earlier, came close but Barney Williams was on hand to clear off the line.
Ricky Miller and Raggett had opportunities for Dover before the break but Welling again came out lively after the interval.
Kabba and Porter again combined well but Rafferty was out quickly to save from the latter.
Ajala for Dover and Reece Harris for Welling were cautioned before referee Craig Hicks had no option other than to abandon the game.
Fazakerley was happy with the performance, especially with the creation of openings but still felt some disappointment too. “I was frustrated that we couldn’t take them and that the game was spoiled through the rain.
“There’s not a massive amount of pressure on us. We’re not far away from a win. If we were really struggling, not playing well, not creating chances, then maybe the pressure would be on us. We feel we just need that first win to kick start us.”
Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Magri, Thomas, Raggett, Sterling, Orlu, Modeste, Parkinson, Miller, Ajala (Murphy 59), Deverdics.
Unused substitutes: Diallo, Ofori-Acheampong, Grimes, Murphy, Pinnock.
Welling United: Welling United: McEntegart, Williams, Jefford, Corne, Chambers, Osborne, Porter, Vidal, Kabba, Wellard, Harris.
Unused substitutes: Gagliardi, Nortey, Taylor, St. Aimie, Bakare.
Referee: Craig Hicks
Assistants: Michael Lowe & Andrew Parker
4th Official: David Spain
Attendance: 1,036
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.