Anointed Chukwu scored the only goal as Welling United claimed all three points at St. Albans City.
Chukwu had the first opportunity of the match when Dave Winfield headed a corner into his path. St. Albans goalkeeper Michael Johnson made an excellent block then got up quickly to hold Gene Kennedy’s well struck follow up.
Daniel Martin then burst through and slipped it past Johnson only for it go wide off the outside of the post. Kwaku Donkor’s low cross then gave Martell Taylor-Crossdale a sight of goal but he shot wide.
In the fifteenth minute, Welling’s energetic start got the reward it deserved when Kennedy’s tenacity allowed him to slip Chukwu in behind and he never looked like missing when firing home.
Makise Evans hit a shot from twenty-five yards that went well wide before another Welling corner was flicked on by Winfield, this time to former Saint Alex Lankshear, but his falling volley flew wide.
Donkor fired wide from fully thirty-five yards before the hosts had a chance just before half time when Jack James picked out Ken Charles who headed over from close range.
TJ Bramble was unable to continue after the break and was replaced by Welling debutant Garrett Kelly, and St. Albans also brought on a substitute, Matt Lench, for his first game for his new team having signed from Slough Town.
Former Bromley defender Joe Partington headed over from Josh Castiglione’s corner before a shot from James from out wide flew well wide. Charles then stung Rhys Lovett’s palms and although the Welling goalkeeper was unable to hold it initially, he recovered quickly to smother.
Shaun Jeffers, who has been Welling’s nemesis over the years, had a header from a Tafari Moore cross that was kept out by Lankshear then Charles headed over from a corner by James.
Although Welling were being forced to defend for large parts of the second half, they still created chances and Donkor and Kelly combined well to create a shooting chance for Kennedy but it flew just over.
Just over fifteen minutes remained when the hosts made a triple change as they looked to throw everything at claiming a leveller. Moore shot well over then Jeffers came closer with a first time effort that dipped just over.
At the other end Charlie Pegrum’s low shot was well held by Johnson before the Saints’ custodian presented Welling with a great chance to settle the game. He came a long way out of his goal and allowed Chukwu to dispossess him. The striker elected to shoot first time from forty yards, hitting the side netting, when had he squared it, Paul Osew would have had an open goal in front of him.
Fortunately for the Wings, it didn’t prove to be costly as Jeffers blasted a free kick well over before Winfield made a brilliant block from James’ shot in the final minute of stoppage time to preserve Welling’s clean sheet.
Rod Stringer, Welling’s manager, was absent from the dugout but will be back for his team’s match at home to Enfield Town on Tuesday night having served his one match ban.
St. Albans City: Wright, James, Moore, Castigione (Akinola 74), Woodman, Partington, Charles, Payne (Lench 46), Jeffers, Evans (Banton 74), Hoddle (Rasulo 74). Sub not used: Long-King.
Goalscorer: None
Yellow card: Charles
Welling United: Lovett, Donkor (Pegrum 76), Martin, Statham, Winfield, Lankshear, Cornish, Kennedy, Chukwu (Long 90+3), Bramble (Kelly 46), Taylor-Crossdale (Osew 62). Sub not used: Johnson.
Goalscorer: Chukwu (15)
Yellow cards: Kennedy, Lovett
Referee: Chay Hathway
Assistants: David Payne and Simon Parbery
Fourth Official: Dennis Torres Miranoa
Attendance: 1,662
Images courtesy of Dave Budden