Welling United suffer home thrashing at the hands of Chelmsford City

BY MARK DOIG

Welling United suffered a heavy defeat against Chelmsford City in their first home National League South game of the season, and their first league game on a natural surface.

In five league and cup games, they have lost four and drawn one. Their previous defeats were all by the odd goal but this one turned out to be a comprehensive loss and they are now one place above bottom club Braintree Town, who are still yet to claim their first point.

It might have been very different had they taken one of their early chances. Dipo Akinyemi had a powerful shot beaten away by Lee Worgan then Millwall loanee Reuben Duncan was too high after strong hold up play by Rowan Liburd.

At the other end, Chelmsford put together a good move but Alex Teniola was ushered into a position where it was virtually impossible to get a shot on target before Akinyemi again tested Worgan with a shot towards the far post that the Clarets custodian did well to push away.

Cameron James, who was impressing for the Wings in the last league game at Park View Road back in March, twice tried his luck from distance for his new club but was off target with both efforts.

Former Dulwich Hamlet striker Akinyemi again got in behind for Welling but was leaning away when he shot and was well off target.

Phil Roberts was another Chelmsford player who donned the red shirt of Welling last season, and even featured in early pre-season games for the Wings in August. However, now in new colours, it was he who was instrumental in breaking the deadlock. His dramatic fall when caught by Anthony Cook in the penalty area ensured that the referee did not miss the foul and a spot kick was awarded. Teniola stepped up and made no mistake almost on the stroke of half time.

That was a serious body blow to Brad Quinton’s team and they were lucky to escape going further behind soon after the interval when poor marking allowed Adebola Oluwo an opportunity at point-blank range but he fired over when it appeared easier to score.

Any hopes that Welling had of making Chelmsford pay were dashed when the Clarets increased their lead nine minutes into the second half. Once again a Callum Harrison free-kick from the right caused problems and although Reise Charles-Cook made a brilliant save from Anthony Church’s initial effort, Welling failed to clear and when it came back to Church, he made no mistake.

Liburd had an opportunity to pull one back when sent clear but Worgan made an excellent save with his left foot before Chelmsford put the game to bed when Church got on to the end of another deep Harrison free-kick and fired home from close range.

Having failed to score more than once in any of their previous games, Chelmsford were gifted a fourth by a defensive howler which Adam Liddle tucked home gratefully.

The Wings are back in action on Tuesday night looking to get out of their rut when visiting Concord Rangers.