Welling United 1 Chelmsford 2 – Wings’ bubble is burst as they suffer National League South reverse

BY MARK DOIG

Having won their last two matches, there was much optimism for Welling United supporters heading into Saturday’s National League South fixture – but their bubbles were burst by Chelmsford City.

It was a game in which both teams battled toe-to-toe and Welling manager Warren Feeney will wonder how his side lost it.

For the first 20 minutes it was a cagey encounter before Welling had the better of the opportunities. Stefan Payne was flattened on the edge of the penalty area and Taylor Maloney curled the free-kick over the defensive wall only to see his effort come back off the bar.

Harry Lodovica showed how dangerous Chelmsford could be on the break when he was given time to shoot but he fired beyond the far post before Welling should have been awarded a penalty. Maloney sent over a corner and Clarets skipper Dave Winfield punched it clear but neither the referee nor the assistant showed interest.

Manny Parry then headed another Maloney corner back into the middle, but Payne’s back header was cleared off the line by Henry Ochieng.

Again, Welling were caught on the break just before half time. Jacob Marsden launched it long, Simeon Jackson got behind the back four and headed over the onrushing Myles Roberts, but it drifted the wrong side of the post.

After the break, Chelmsford failed to make the most of another good break before they did profit from a further one. Marsden claimed a Maloney free-kick and launched it long to Jackson who was allowed to cut in from the right before firing past a helpless Roberts.

Three minutes later, Welling might have levelled. Amadou Kassarate was brought down in the penalty area and the referee looked to his assistant who signalled for the spot kick. After winning the right to take the penalty in a quick competition with Ade Azeez, Payne took the responsibility, but Marsden guessed right and made the save.

Further controversy followed when Chelmsford added a second. The Welling players claimed that the assistant was signalling for a substitution and switched off from a throw. Tom Blackwood took advantage by crossing low for Jackson to turn in at the near post.

Maloney pulled one back with a fantastic strike from 25 yards, but it was too little too late, and Chelmsford returned to Essex with all three points.

Welling have a quick chance to bounce back when they visit Dulwich Hamlet today.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN