Report
Welling consolidated third position with a workmanlike performance against fellow play off side Chelmsford City.
The Wings got off to a dream start in the very first minute. Danny Mills winning a flick on that allowed Bradley Goldberg to run at the Chelmsford defence before firing an effort low past Nathan McDonald.
After the whirlwind start, the game somewhat slowed down and it wasn’t until the 12th minute that the next chance came. A superb tackle by Spillane denied Danny Mills after Anderson failed to clear his lines for the away side.
Midway through the first half Wilks had his first save to make but it came from his own man. Chris Whepdale produced a long throw which skimmed off of Richard Orlu head and his clearance which was heading goalwards was clawed away by Wilks.
Rhys Murphy then tried his luck from range after after a ball out of midfield was played to him, but the City top scorer turned and fired over the bar.
Bradley Goldberg had a great chance to double The Wings lead after he wriggled clear with just McDonald to beat, the keeper stood firm and denied him with an outstretched boot.
Another chance came and went when a perfectly floated corner by Gavin McCallum was met by Richard Orlu but he glanced his header wide.
However in the 36th minute the big talking point of the match occurred. Superb play from Danny Mills played in Brendan Kiernan, with the The Wings man bearing down on goal Chez Isaac pulled Kiernan back just as he was about to shoot. A penalty was awarded and after consulting with the linesman Issac was shown a straight red. After what seemed a long wait Bradley Goldberg powerfully converted the spot kick despite the best efforts of McDonald who dived the right way.
Welling were now in full control and a wonderful move resulted in Kiernan volleying an effort goalwards that McDonald saved, although it would have been ruled out anyhow for offisde. But it was the home side who went in ahead at the break.
Goldberg almost got in again at the start of the 2nd half but Mills header to find him just alluded him.
However after this City despite having the ten men threw caution to the wind and had plenty of the possession.
A free kick by Giles into the Welling area was met at the back post by Whelpdale and cleared off the line by Braham-Barrett.
Two minutes later in the 50th minute Braham-Barrett was again the hero this time denying Murphy who turned and hit an effort goalwards that the Wings man cleared off the line.
City were pouring forward and Whepdale saw an effort easily saved by Wilks when a ball out wide looked the better option.
On the hour mark Rhys Murphy acrobatically volleyed an effort wide as Chelmsford still tried to get back in the game but Welling continued to hold firm.
Perhaps sensing their greatest form of defence was to attack, Welling started to come back into the game and Mills almost guided home a McCallum corner but his header skimmed wide.
Porter then whipped in a free kick that was met by Church but Wilks made a fine stop to deny him.
Welling were now happy to play counter attacking football and Braham-Barrett surged forward but drove his effort over the bar and into Danson Park.
As the game drifted on into the final 10 minutes Spillane headed a Porter free kick wide for the away side. Chelmsford somehow failed to score in the 89th minute when Welling gave the ball away cheaply in defence allowing Chelmsford to surge forward Chiedozie crossed for Whelpdale who looked certain to tap home but he somehow tapped the ball wide of the post.
Bradley Goldberg almost capped a fine display with a hat trick. Rising well to flick a header from a free kick which had McDonald back peddling but the keeper made a fine save to deny Goldberg his hat trick.
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