Josh Redfearn scored the only goal as Welling United claimed an important home three points against Bath City.

It was a dogged performance by the Wings against the Romans who were operating under a caretaker manager, and the win took them took Rod Stringer’s team to four games unbeaten in the league.

They were certainly second best in the opening exchanges and Elliott Frear had the first effort with a low shot that Rhys Lovett saved before the visitors missed a glorious opportunity. Scott Wilson’s low cross took a slight deflection that presented Luke Russe with a tap in but, somehow, he failed to put it away and Lovett got across to make a miracle save.

Joe Raynes then had a shooting chance when the referee failed to award Welling a free kick for a blatant foul on Martell Taylor-Crossdale. It fell to the Bath wide man who hit a clean shot however, it was too straight and Lovett held comfortably.

Just shy of the twenty minute mark, Welling scored from their first clear chance. Jack Burchell sent a long pass forward and Redfearn showed his determination to make it his by controlling it before lobbing goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards and finding the back of the net.

Lovett was again called into action when a good Bath move gave Jordan Alves an opportunity and his drive towards the bottom corner was saved brilliantly by the Welling goalkeeper. However, Bath’s next attempt to play out from the back showed the danger in playing that way. TJ Bramble nicked possession and played it out to Taylor-Crossdale. He cut in from the left and let fly but was unable to keep his shot down and it flew over.

Wilson had one last chance before half time but headed wide after Lovett had done well to keep out Danny Greenslade’s close range shot with his feet.

Alves cut in and shot early in the second half but Lovett saved easily then Wiles-Richards did likewise at the other end when claiming a clean strike from Zain Walker. In Bath’s next foray, Alves tried to take advantage of Bramble and Walker’s collision but he shot wide.

After that, the visitors struggled to break down the Welling back line and only had a cross-shot by Frear that Lovett held at the near post.

At the other end Alex Lankshear went on a thrilling long run down the touchline and it was only at the very end of it that it just got away from him enabling Wiles-Richards to smother.

Although, over twenty minutes still remained, there were no further chances at either end and Welling saw the time out with relative ease. 

Stringer’s Wings are next in action next Saturday when they look to extend their unbeaten run at Salisbury.

Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Lankshear, Cornish, Burchell, Winfield, Walker (Long 69), Kennedy, Redfearn (Andrews 90+1), Bramble (Perkins 90+2), Taylor-Crossdale (Donkor 85). Subs not used: Johnson.

Goalscorer: Redfearn (19)

Yellow cards: Statham, Winfield

Truro City: Wiles-Richards, Raynes (Lawrence 85), Frear (Fisher 71), Tomlinson, Batten, Greenslade, Tillson, Alves, Wilson (Anthony 85), Seymour, Russe. Subs not used: Sardo, Pritchard.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Tomlinson

Referee: Ashley Clarke

Assistants: Joanne Horwood and Russell Jones

Fourth Official: Simon Finnegan

Attendance: 586

Images courtesy of Dave Budden