Fazackerley nets crucial winner

05 November 2009

WELLING picked up three much-needed points as Loui Fazackerley struck seven minutes from time to defeat fellow strugglers Lewes at Park View Road, writes Paul Carter.

While they undoubtedly made hard work of it against a poor side last Saturday, Welling did more than enough to justify the win and make it four points in six days for caretaker-manager Lee Protheroe.

The Wings started brightly and, in the seventh minute, Ryan Johnson's pass picked out Tony Finn on the left flank.

Finn played a perfect cross in to Fazackerley, who saw his header well saved by Lewes keeper Rikki Banks, who then denied him again from the rebound.

From the resulting corner, Protheroe crossed to the far post where the angle was just too tight for Jack Parkinson, whose header hit the outside of the woodwork.

In the 18th minute, Tom Whitnell's persistence paid off as his flick found Dean Cracknell, who was brought down by Banks.

Referee Paul Harris pointed to the spot, but Cracknell's poor kick was saved by Banks.

Two minutes later, the official was pointing to the spot at the other end as Protheroe felled Danny Royce with an ill-advised effort to win the ball. Royce struck his penalty well enough, yet Charlie Mitten flung himself to the right and turned the ball away.

Welling's early promise faded from that point as they lost the ball needlessly on too many occasions. However, they should still have gone ahead just before the hour; Cracknell missing from close range after Banks could only parry a rasping drive from Finn.

With time running out, Lewes got themselves in a mess from Jake Hobbs' cross and Fazackerley fired into the roof of the net.

The visitors thought they should have had a penalty deep into injury-time and some fairly disgraceful protests saw two players booked and Ryan Storrie sent-off after the final whistle for a second yellow card.

Welling: Mitten, Protheroe, Deane, Johnson, Parkinson, Andrews, Fazackerley, Cracknell (Hurrell 72), Stone (Clarke 89), Finn, Whitnell (Hobbs 68). Subs not used: Bakare, Gaisie. Att: 502.