Non-league: Welling United lose 4-0 at home to Chippenham Town

BY MARK DOIG

Three Chippenham Town goals in a five-minute spell within the first 13 minutes put paid to Welling United’s hopes of climbing into a mid-table position in National League South.

Welling manager Rod Stringer made four changes to the team that were beaten at Dorking Wanderers seven days earlier. Goalkeeper Rhys Lovett was injured, Alex Lankshear suspended while both Anointed Chukwu and Elliot Long took up places on the subs bench.

Jordan Gillmore came in for his debut in goal and Zain Walker came in for his first appearance since being injured in mid August, and just his second start for the Wings. Charlie Pegrum and Martell Taylor-Crossdale were also restored to the starting line-up.

Chiori Johnson flashed an early low centre across the face of goal for the Wings but it was the visitors who went ahead in the eighth minute. Tom Owen-Evans found Harry Parsons, he then clipped it to Leone Gravata, who finished at the far post.

Three minutes later Owen-Evans squared to Parsons, who scored from close range before the Bluebirds went 3-0 up after a further two minutes. This time Gravata played it across and Owen-Evans was the beneficiary, slotting it into the empty net.

Having stemmed the tide, Welling were presented with a shooting opportunity when a foul on the edge of the penalty area was punished with the Wings being awarded a free-kick. Martell Taylor-Crossdale struck it cleanly but Will Henry made a good diving save to push it around the post.

Stringer made three changes at half-time having already brought on Chukwu three minutes before the break. Jack Burchell, Garrett Kelly and Long were introduced to the fray. The Wings may have got back into the game almost immediately. Gene Kennedy met Johnson’s low cross with a first time clip as Grant came in from behind. It appeared to be a good claim for a penalty but the referee was uninterested.

Henry was called into making a good save from another Taylor-Crossdale free-kick before a further shot by the Wings striker flashed wide.

Parsons had a great opportunity for the visitors as Welling pushed men forward. He beat the offside trap but Gillmore stood up and beat out the Chippenham striker’s effort. However, the Wings’ custodian was powerless to stop the Bluebirds’ fourth with 13 minutes remaining. Another counter left the Welling back line outnumbered allowing Owen-Evans and substitute Matt McClure to exchange passes before the former scored his second of the day.

Although they huffed and puffed, the Wings were unable to work Henry again, and they will need to regroup quickly before visiting league leaders Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday evening.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN