Missed opportunities cost Welling United dearly as they had to settle for a one all draw at Bath City.

They failed to finish two or three gilt edged chances after going ahead and one defensive error meant that they had to make do with a point.

Ian Gayle and Olu Durojaiye were absent and Jack Jebb was rested as Connor Dymond moved back to right back and Joe Healy and Harry Phipps took up central midfield positions.

Almost immediately, Welling were on the attack as they did not want to allow the hosts to settle. Anthony Staraker got himself in a muddle and Bradley Goldberg dispossessed him before letting fly with a shot that was saved comfortably by Luke Southwood.

Joe Healy was fouled by Staraker and took the free kick himself, picking out Tom Bradbrook who headed wide.

Bradbrook had a shot saved from a half cleared Healy corner but the Romans’ problems with clearing corners cost them just shy of the twenty minute mark. Healy’s delivery was headed out as far as Harry Phipps and he headed back inside the far post.

The Wings had a chance to make it two soon after when Bradbrook was sent clear but he was unable to slot it beyond Southwood before things started to get tougher for the Wings. Goldberg had to depart with a groin strain with Lloyd Macklin replacing him.

Almost immediately, his pace sent him clear, but like Bradbrook before him, he was unable to beat Southwood.

Another injury hit Welling hard and Bradbrook had to be replaced with Jack Jebb coming on.

Andy Watkins had a chance for Bath but headed Nick McCootie’s deep cross into the side netting.

Early in the second period, Macklin missed another good chance from Jebb’s cross as Welling looked to increase their lead.

Their best move involved Healy, Christian Nanetti and Jebb but once more Macklin was unable to convert.

After 67 minutes, Welling paid the price when failure to clear allowed Jack Compton to square for Jamie Lucas who fired home.

No further clear cut chances fell to either side. Ryan Case skied over for Bath and Healy volleyed wide for Welling. Neither goalkeeper was troubled again and the points were shared.

Bath City: Southwood, Case, Ball (Welch-Hayes 46) , Batten, Jones, Rigg, McCootie, Straker, Jarvis (Lucas 46), Morgan, Watkins (Compton 58). Subs not used: Murphy, Woollacott.

Welling United: Barnes, Dymond, Jefford, Phipps, Coyle, Parkinson, Monakana (Pattisson 78), Healy, Bradbrook (Jebb 34), Goldberg (Macklin 26), Nanetti. Subs not used: Francis, Johnson.

Bath City:

Goalscorers: Lucas (67)

Yellow Cards: McCootie, Compton

Red cards: None

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Phipps (19).

Yellow cards: Dymond, Parkinson

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Jason Richardson

Assistants: Steven Rea and Tom Ellsmore

 

Attendance: 542

 

Welling star player: Harry Phipps

Images courtesy of Dave Budden