GOALS from Jamie Day and Luis Cumbers saw Welling United take the points with a hard earned victory at Chelmsford City.

Third placed Welling consolidated their position as the win at their fourth placed hosts completed a successful week in which they claimed nine points.

Whilst leaders Woking and second placed Dartford hold the advantage, Welling went into this game looking to keep winning so that if the teams above them slip up, they will be in a position to pounce.

Day gave Welling a perfect start when nodding his team ahead in the third minute after Scott Kinch’s shot was blocked into his path by Adam Tann.

Kinch was then called on to show his defensive qualities with a brave header out from the first corner of the match.

In the 11th minute the hosts claimed a controversial equaliser when Kezie Ibe appeared to trip over the ball. Referee Michael George saw things differently and awarded a penalty.

Dave Rainford stepped up to take the spot kick and although Craig Holloway went the right way, the ball found its way into the net via both posts. Day was cautioned for his continued dissent.

Holloway had to be sharp to push a Warren Whitely cross shot away and Kenny Clark headed wide from one of Chelmsford’s many corners.

Loick Pires did well to pull the ball back to Day, but Tann was on hand to block the shot.

Mr George stretched Welling’s faith in him further when failing to even award a free kick for a clear and clumsy foul on Kinch.

Sam Corcoran’s quick free kick put Cliff Akurang clear but Ben Martin recovered to block the shot at the cost of a further corner.

Andy Sambrook, Day, and Ben Greenhalgh combined to give Jack Parkinson a shooting opportunity but the Welling captain shot wide just before half time.

Parkinson played in Greenhalgh early in the second period but Tann was on hand to clear the danger.

Aiden Palmer put a free kick just wide and Whitely was off target with a near post effort before the Wings enjoyed a spell on top.

Greenhalgh’s deep corner was well won by Kinch beyond the far post but his header fell behind the Welling players who had all been pulled in, and Chelmsford were grateful to get the ball away.

Great work by Pires allowed Parkinson another shooting opportunity but his effort came back off the post for an offside Kinch to net.

Cumbers put Welling ahead in the 61st minute, and again there was controversy.

Mr George failed to notice the push in the back on Pires or the ball striking the striker’s arm as he met Greenhalgh’s corner and Kinch knocked the ball back for Cumbers to head beyond Stuart Searle from close range. Clark was cautioned for dissent.

Corcoran had a shot blocked by Jack Obersteller before Welling came close to scoring a spectacular third.

A fine ball down the line by Parkinson allowed Day room to cross and Pires, diving full length, headed just wide of the far post.

Sambrook was booked for a foul but Welling continued to create openings and both Day and Cumbers failed to hit the target with shots.

As the game entered the latter stages the Clarets upped the tempo and Holloway made an excellent save from substitute Alex Osborn.

Rainford missed a great opportunity to level when firing over from a half cleared corner kick and the outstanding Anthony Acheampong made a vital interception when Holloway was beaten to a through ball.

Clark was thwarted by a fine save from Holloway and Palmer hit another free kick just over as Chelmsford sought a late equaliser.

The hosts were unable to threaten the Welling goal again and the frustration resulted in an injury time yellow card for Corcoran.

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Welling United: Holloway, Sambrook, Obersteller, Kinch (Cracknell 89), Acheampong, Martin, Parkinson, Day (Fazakerley 82), Cumbers, Greenhalgh (Baker 89), Pires. Unused substitute: Flack.