Welling United finally get that winning feeling back as Chukwu downs St Albans City
BY MARK DOIG
One goal was enough to end Welling United’s losing run as they claimed all three points at St Albans City.
Four successive league defeats after their FA Cup loss had seen them drop down the league table, so it was a welcome return to winning ways for the Wings.
Although manager Rod Stringer was forced to watch from the stand, due to a touchline ban, his team played some excellent football in the first half and dug in after the break.
Maxwell Statham was restored to the team playing on the right side of the back three, and TJ Bramble returned from injury to take a place in midfield. Anthony Grant missed out with Sam Cornish playing the defensive midfield role. New signing Garrett Kelly was given a place on the bench.
Assistant manager Kevin Watson, an experienced manager in his own right, took control from the dugout and enjoyed his team’s fast start. Anointed Chukwu had Welling’s first effort when bringing a good block out of Saints goalie Michael Johnson after Dave Winfield flicked on Daniel Martin’s corner. It came out to Gene Kennedy, whose first-time shot was held by Johnson after he had recovered quickly.
Martin had a chance of his own when bursting through and beating Johnson but his shot hit the base of the post and went wide. Kwaku Donkor picked our Martell Taylor-Crossdale with a low cross but he shot wide.
On the 15-minute mark, in Welling’s next attack, they went ahead. Kennedy slipped Chukwu in behind and Welling’s leading scorer gave Johnson no chance with a clinical finish.
Another Welling corner caused difficulties when Winfield again got a flick on and it came out to Alex Lankshear, whose first time volley, when falling, flew wide.
As first-half stoppage time approached, the hosts had their first real chance when Ken Charles headed over having met a Jack James cross.
Bramble was unable to continue after the interval and Kelly came on to make his Welling debut. With the slope now in their favour, the Saints had a greater share of the possession and former Bromley centre back Joe Partington headed over from a corner.
Charles brought a save out of Rhys Lovett with a shot that he palmed down and smothered it before anyone else could pounce. Charles then missed the Saints’ best chance when heading over James’ corner from close range.
At the other end, Donkor and Kelly combined to create an opening for Kennedy whose first time effort flew over before the hosts made a triple change with a little more than 15 minutes remaining to give them a very attacking formation. It almost paid off when Shaun Jeffers hit a shot that dipped just over.
However, going on all out attack meant that the Saints left gaps at the back and Charlie Pegrum drew a good save out of Johnson. Welling had an even better opportunity when Johnson forgot that he was a goalkeeper and lost possession to Chukwu 40 yards out. He tried a first time shot at the empty net but it went just the wrong side of the post and hit the outside of the net.
Jeffers struck a free-kick well over before St Albans had one last opportunity when it fell kindly to James. Winfield typified Welling’s determination to claim the win when he threw himself into the line of fire to block the shot.
Stringer should be back to assume his position in the dugout on Tuesday evening when his team hosts Enfield Town looking for back to back victories for the first time this season.
PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN