St. Albans City 2-1 Welling United

When they won at Ramsgate five days earlier, the Wings were given a welcome boost but they were unable to follow it up when visiting Hertfordshire. Rod Stringer made just one change, bringing back captain Jack Paxman following his one match suspension, while Greg Cundle dropped to the bench.

After a slow start to the season, St. Albans came into the game having only lost once in their last eleven matches, and that was a County Cup game in which they rested many of their regular starters, so Stringer knew that a his team were in for a tough challenge.

There was also a low tempo opening in this match at Clarence Park. There was little goalmouth action until Welling goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle was twice called into action, first making a good reaction save from Jason Mather, then beating out Alex Dyer’s shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Then Welling started to impose themselves and Luke O’Neill had a free kick deflected over before Paxman was unable to keep his shot down following a dead ball routine.

Five minutes before half time, the hosts took the lead. Somehow, a low Lewis Page corner was not cut out and Leo Sery showed the desire to get on the end of it as he hooked his volley home from close range.

Early in the second period Sery shot over and Sam Smart hit the side netting before Stringer made a change with Cundle replacing John Ufuah. Six minutes later the Wings levelled when they had the hosts’ defence at sixes and sevens which allowed Eze Ebuzoeme space to fire home from ten yards.

Two minutes later, St. Albans went back ahead, again with question marks about their defending. Troy Perez-Duah delivered a free kick and Michael Bostwick jumped virtually unopposed and headed towards the far post. Although McKenzie-Lyle stretched and got a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out.

Cundle’s match ended twenty minutes after coming on when he fell awkwardly and dislocated his shoulder. Alex Wall had a shot palmed away by McKenzie-Lyle before Bostwick fired over.

In the remaining fifteen minutes Welling threw players forward in the search for an equaliser and Christian Scott fired over before Tom Leahy thought that he had scored but Bostwick got back to clear off the line.

Josh Redfearn shot wide however Welling’s all out attack left them open at the back and McKenzie-Lyle made an excellent save from Harrison Smith when St. Albans had a two versus one break.

Leahy again went close when meeting O’Neill’s cross first time and drawing a brilliant reaction save from Magnus Norman. Then, deep into stoppage time, the Wings had one more big chance. Paxman delivered to the far post and Lekan Majoyegbe met it but could not direct his close range header home.

Cup football now means that Welling have a two week break before their next league match giving Stringer time to work on bringing in reinforcements.

Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle; O’Neill, Dobbs, Majoyegbe, Adjetey-Brew; Allen (Scott 72): Leahy, Ebuzoeme, Paxman, Ufuah (Cundle 50 (Williams-Bushell 70)); Akinwande (Redfearn 72). Sub not used: McIntosh.