Former Wing Osman Foyo scored the only goal as Chelmsford City won at Welling United.

It looked like a game that had all the makings of finishing nil-nil until the Clarets sneaked the win with five minutes remaining.

Alfie Bendle had the first opportunity for the visitors with a shot that flew beyond the far post from twenty yards. Welling’s first opening came from a good move when Dan Martin sent Theo Alexandrou away down the wing. He passed to Gene Kennedy who cut in from the bye-line before showing his composure to lay back to Martin who had arrived late in the penalty area. Unfortunately for the Wings, he was unable to keep his shot down.

Martin was then in action at the other end when the Clarets broke from a Welling corner. Charlie Ruff sent Foyo away but the Welling wing-back raced back and made a perfectly timed recovery tackle. Foyo, again, got into a good position from a long cross-field pass and cut in and shot but Rhys Lovett got down to make a relatively comfortable save.

Just over half an hour had passed when Welling had a great chance to go ahead. Kennedy and Alexandrou combined well down the right hand side and the former’s cross begged for a touch to put the Wings ahead but Josh Redfearn, under pressure from Frankie Edwards, was unable to apply it.

Kennedy then had a shot deflected over and Sam Cornish delivered a corner that Martin miss-cued into the path of TJ Bramble. However, he was at full stretch and could only poke it into the grateful arms of Ted Collins.

Having finished the half strongly, Welling’s supporters were hoping for more of the same from Rod Stringer’s team in the second period. They started it well and a Cornish free kick was missed by an acrobatic attempt by Alexandrou but fell to Redfearn whose shot was blocked wide. Dave Winfield met Cornish’s corner with a header that went straight into the arms of Collins.

Foyo then created a chance for Chelmsford when whipping in a low cross that Charlie Ruff met at the near post but could not divert it on goal before Welling had another great opportunity. Redfearn did well to nick it away from two defenders and burst forward before unleashing a shot that crashed back out off the bar.

Jake Hyde had a shot for the Clarets that was deflected over, then Cameron James fired over after a miss-kick by Foyo fell for him. Chelmsford continued to ask questions and when Foyo delivered a near post cross, Kane Crichlow arrived late to meet it with a first time effort that went the wrong side of the near post.

However, it wasn’t all one way traffic and Martin and Redfearn exchanged passes down the left wing before the former’s dangerous low cross was claimed well by Collins. A deep Maxwell Statham cross looped onto the roof of the net before James curled an effort wide from the edge of the penalty area for the visitors.

As the clock clicked down, the club from Essex claimed the crucial goal. Kalvin Kalala, who had just come on as a substitute, found space down the left and crossed to Foyo who poked it into the far corner.

Stringer responded by sending on Zain Walker who had an immediate shot deflected over then Cornish hit a long diagonal cross that picked out Winfield but he couldn’t get sufficient power on it to worry Collins, and he saved easily.

That was the last chance at either end as Welling were left to lick their wounds.

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Burchell 70), Martin, Statham, Winfield, Lankshear, Kennedy, Cornish. Redfearn (Taylor-Crossdale 75), Alexandrou, Bramble (Walker 87). Subs not used: Donkor, Grant.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: None

Chelmsford City: Collins, Williams, Oguntayo, Bendle (Donaldson 60), Edwards, James, Foyo, Penney, Hyde (Kalala 82), Ruff (McConnell 68), Crichlow (Barnum-Bubb 90+6). Sub not used: Bland.

Goalscorer: Foyo (85)

Yellow cards: Penney, Bendle, Williams, Foyo.

Referee: Dan England

Assistants: Edward Smith and David Spain

Fourth Official: James Barry

Attendance: 960