Another contentious penalty went against Welling United as they fell to defeat at Hashtag United.

Although that decision was questionable, Lee Martin’s team didn’t create enough chances to deserve a win and were indebted to returning goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle who made a string of fine saves.

There was little goalmouth action in the early stages with only a twenty-five yard strike from Christian Scott that flew wide being registered as a goal attempt for the first thirty minutes.

Bradley Sach had the hosts’ first attempt after half an hour when he attempted to chip McKenzie-Lyle but it floated harmlessly over.

John Ufuah’s diving header flew over for the Wings after Femi Akinwande clipped on Zac Hambury’s cross then a Luke O’Neill free kick hit the last man in the defensive wall and flew out.

Ufuah, out wide, was picked out by Scott, and his low cross was cleared bravely as Akinwande closed in. Logan Dobbs then drew an easy save out of Hashtag goalkeeper Jack Giddens with a header from Jack Paxman’s corner.

Scott blasted over for Welling before Luke May-Parrott’s header was claimed by McKenzie-Lyle. Evans Kouassi had the last chance of an uneventful first half when breaking three tackles before shooting too high.  

At half time, Welling manager Lee Martin made a double substitution but the hosts scored before either had got their first touch when May-Parrott finished from close range.

Looking for a quick equaliser, O’Neill delivered a corner that was flicked on by Ruben Shakpoke but nobody could finish before Kouassi broke through only to shoot wide of the far post. The Hashtag wide man had a further chance when Sach played him in behind but he could not fire beyond the imposing figure of McKenzie-Lyle and Welling were able to get it away. 

An overhead effort by Sach flew behind May-Parrott and he attempted his own scissors kick which flew past the post before Welling levelled in the eleventh minute of the second half. Ufuah broke down the right and drew Giddens out before firing past him.

McKenzie-Lyle saved a header by May-Parrott before doing well to hold on to Jason Ring’s drive. He then dived to his right to catch Matthew Wooldridge’s shot before he made a great stop from Kouassi. It came out to Ring and his first time shot flew wide.

Dobbs had a half chance for the Wings when hooking wide from a recycled free kick before Hashtag went ahead in controversial style. Alfie Paxman was pushed by Sach in his own penalty area and as his arm came out to balance himself it was struck by the ball and a spot kick was awarded. Sach stepped up and sent McKenzie-Lyle the wrong way.

Lekan Majoyegbe had a header saved easily by Giddens before Kouassi should have made the three points safe but shot beyond the far post after cutting back to make the opportunity.

Eze Ebuzoeme had one last effort for the Wings but Giddens held it well and the hosts saw the remainder of the game out without further alarm.

Hashtag United: Giddens; Ring, T. Anderson, Smith, Rusoke (Wilson 90+2); Christou (Lovatt 68): Cornhill, Wooldridge, Kouassi (Caull 90+6); Sach (Djemaili 88), May-Parrott (Ogebebor 84).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: May-Parrott (46), Sach (81)

Yellow cards: Ring (78 foul)

Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle; O’Neill (Bushell-Williams 54), Dobbs, Majoyegbe, Adjetey-Brew (Addy 83); Ebuzoeme; Hambury (Shakpoke 46), Paxman, Scott (Cundle 46), Ufuah; Akinwande.

Sub not used: Norman.

Goalscorer: Ufuah (56)

Yellow cards: Adjetey-Brew (15 foul), Paxman (47 foul), Shakpoke (83 dissent)

Referee: Marcin Indyk

Assistants: Matthew Charles and Michael Corderoy

Attendance: 176

Pictures supplied by Kieran North