In a game of few chances, Welling United claimed an only goal victory at Chelmsford City.

Fourth placed Chelmsford came into the game having won eight of their thirteen home games although their previous home match had ended in defeat. Welling were on the back of two losses followed by a two week break.

Warren Feeney has added to his Welling squad by signing defender Kodi Lyons-Foster on loan from Aldershot Town, and Kyrell Lisbie following a successful trial. Aaron Powell’s loan from Peterborough United has been extended for another month.

Harry Lodovica almost put the Clarets ahead in the first minute when his curler struck the crossbar but that was the closest that either team came in the first half. While Welling had a good share of possession and territorial advantage, they couldn’t quite find the final pass to create clear cut chances.

Taylor Maloney scuffed a shot wide for Welling before Reece Grant drew a comfortable save from Myles Roberts, the Wings’ goalkeeper.

Route one football created an opportunity for Lodovica, and he lifted it over the outcoming Roberts but Lyons-Foster got back well to force him wide and allow the Welling custodian to get back into his goal.

Just before half time, Lodovica found himself in a similar position to his first minute effort only to curl his shot over.

The deadlock was broken in the fourth minute of the second half when Chelmsford goalkeeper Eddie Beach struggled with a cross and crashed into Dylan Gavin who was waiting to head home. Referee Michael Robertson-Tant deemed it to be a foul and awarded a penalty. Maloney stepped up and hit it into the top corner in the way that Feeney described as ‘like Alan Shearer’.

From that point on, Welling were happy to sit back and try and hit the hosts on the break. Their defence kept them at bay for most of the second half in which chances were again at a premium. Grant burst through once but could find no way past Roberts who made the block.

They didn’t look dangerous again until the last fifteen minutes when a cross by Tom Blackwell skimmed the roof of the net.

Lisbie came on as a substitute and gave the Welling supporters a glimpse of what he might offer with his speed and strength before Chelmsford had one last chance in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time. Callum Jones thought he had done enough with a flick from a Cameron James cross only for Roberts to make an outstanding reaction save.

Feeney was delighted with the win knowing that he has plenty to build on ahead of their Saturday local derby with Dartford.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Powell, Dunne, Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Elito (Lisbie 80), Gavin (Kassarate 67), Payne (Parry 90+5), Azeez, Maloney. Sub not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Barnes.