Five further changes to the Welling United starting line up failed to break their poor run of form as they crashed to another home defeat.

Jody Brown hoped to introduce Anthony Jeffrey but the spite of Boreham Wood manager Ian Allinson in refusing to release his playing registration delayed his introduction for another week.

Veteran Karl Duguid was given a Welling debut in midfield whilst Reece Harris and Rowan Vine both made first starts.

Brown started with a 4-3-3 line up, but after Chester had three early chances, he reverted to a 4-4-2 system and Welling settled down.

Duguid came close to commemorating his debut with a goal before Welling went ahead.

Just as they had done a week earler for the reserves, Joe Healy and Harris combined in an identical manner for the latter to fire home.

Brad Abbott and Michael Kay were both cautioned by a referee eager to brandish his cards yet he saw nothing wrong with Ben Heneghan’s wild tackle on Harris on the edge of the area.

Oliver McBurnie equalised on 37 minutes with a free header at the end of a good Chester move.

Jake Gallagher was not as lucky as Heneghan soon after. Although he won the ball cleanly, his follow through was deemed dangerous and he was dismissed for the third time of the season.

Another contentious refereeing decision presented Chester with the lead on the stroke of half time. A close range cross strck Darren Purse on the hip and flew up to deflect off his arm and the referee awarded a spot kick. John Rooney, brother of the England captain stepped up to score.

Two minutes into the second half, Chester gave themselves a two goal cushion. Rooney made the most of a soft free kick by belting home a free kick.

Chester looked certain to increase their lead further but Jonathan Henly made a series of fine saves including four in one attack.

Three Welling substitutions appeared to make a difference and Kieron St. Aimie came close to reducing the arrears when his header was cleared off the line by Ryan Higgins.

Although they had late chances, Welling were unable to breach the Chester defence and completed January without winning a point.

Afterwards, Brown said “You’ve got me in a situation where all I want to talk about is refereeing decisions.” He was unhappy with the sending off, the penalty and the free kick that brought about the third goal.

Next Saturday, Welling travel to Macclesfield Town looking to get some points on the board.

 

Welling United: Henly, Williams, Fyfield, Duguin, Bush, Purse, Vose (Carmichael 54), Gallagher, Vine (Corne 54), Harris, Healy (St. Aimie 75).

Unused substitutes: Fagan, Zerafa.

Chester: Worsnop, Roberts, Heneghan, Kay (Charnock 62), Higgins, Abbott (Francis 62), Rooney, Mahon (Richards 77), McConville, Hughes, McBurnie.

Unused substitutes: Viscose, Poole.

 

Referee: Chris Powell

Assistants: Robert Dabbs and Alex Neil

Fourth Official: Graeme Ions

Attendance: 619

 

Welling star player: Jonathan Henly

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.