Welling United 0 Bath City 3 – Wings lose midfield battle as they suffer first reverse in National League South

BY MARK DOIG

Following their encouraging results away to Havant and Waterlooville and at home to Maidstone United, Welling United were brought back down to earth with a disappointing performance against Bath City.

Tom Smith and Tom Richards ran the midfield and their team’s passing game was too much for Welling.

Connor Dymond was ruled out of the game through injury and his midfield bite was missed as Welling struggled to get a foothold on the game.

It came as no surprise when Welling fell behind after a one sided first ten minutes but the manner of the goal was disappointing. Having conceded a needless corner Joe Raynes was almost unchallenged when he get on the end of Connor Riley-Lowe’s delivery, then Alex Hartridge was all alone when he tucked it in at the far post.

Bradley Goldberg had a header saved for Welling then Dan Wilks made a comfortable stop from Tyler Harvey before Welling went close. Luke Rooney picked out Adam Coombes with a free kick and the Wings’ hit man saw his header tipped onto the crossbar and over.

Rooney’s next contribution to the game was less positive. Andy Watkins got in behind him and he chased back and tumbled his man in the penalty area. Harvey converted from the spot with the minimum of fuss.

Harvey had a couple of half chances before Bath went three up two minutes before half time. Harvey was again involved, this time the creator, when he pulled it back from the bye-line for Tom Richards to bury from twenty yards.

Mark Goldberg made a double change at half time with Dquame Copeland and Joshua Oyinsan making their Welling league debuts.

Both teams had half chances before Richards was just off target before his next effort was blocked out by Wilks but Harvey following up failed to get a clean connection and it bobbled wide.

Oyinsan fired well wide before Wilks made a good save from Harvey’s free kick. Wilks was again in action when saving from Adam Mann then Riley-Lowe shot wide.

As the game moved into the last ten minutes, Welling had a good shout for a penalty. Oyinsan, Bath goalkeeper James Pardington and a defender all went for a loose ball. The Welling striker got there just before the other two and clipped it forward before being caught by Pardington. The referee was unimpressed and it came to nothing.

In the closing stages Rooney had a fierce shot parried by Pardington but Harvey Smith was across quickly to block Aaron Cosgrave’s follow-up.

Gavin McCallum had one last chance but it hit the outside of the side netting.

With games coming thick and fast, Welling will need to re-group quickly to get back to winning ways.

Welling United: Wilks, Ming, Anderson, Rooney, Swaine, Rich-Baghuelou, Cosgrave, Anau (Copeland 46), Goldberg (McCallum 74), Coombes (Oyinsan 46), Green. Unused subs: Okosieme, Agyemang.