SINCE victory over Bromley on New Year’s Day, Welling United had failed to register a further win in any competition and they rarely threatened to remedy this at Melrose Park on Saturday.

When Chelmsford City visited Park View Road earlier in the season, they were extremely fortunate to leave with the three points.

On Saturday, the lack-lustre performance from the Wings ensured the regulation victory the Clarets gained was well merited.

Buoyed by the news Welling had made two new signings, the fans would have been hoping to at least be competitive.

While Gavin Days took up a position on the bench, there was no sign of Anton Douglas.

Consequently, Welling were only able to name four replacements.

Oliver Berquez had the hosts’ first opportunity, but his effort was easily claimed by Clark Masters.

Spencer Knight then had Masters scrambling, but the Welling custodian managed to push the 25-yard effort wide of the post.

The danger from the resulting corner was averted thanks to a spectacular diving header from Sonny Cobbs.

On a rare foray forward, an Orlando Smith back heel almost played Charlie Sheringham in but Chelmsford managed to scramble the ball away.

Ricky Holmes was stopped in his tracks by excellent work from Cobbs and some slick Welling passing on a dreadful pitch failed to result in a goal scoring opportunity on the counter attack.

Holmes hit a long range shot high and wide before Chelmsford opened the scoring with a scrambled effort.

A miss-hit from Knight bounced around in the area but fell nicely for Berquez inside the six yard box and he made no mistake.

Lee Blackburn hit a free-kick into a dangerous area but no Welling player attacked the ball and it drifted wide of the far post.

Ryan Johnson hit a wild shot across the face of the goal before an awful challenge by James Lawson on Loui Fazackerly resulted in another Welling free-kick in a dangerous position.

This time, Blackburn’s delivery was not as threatening and another goal kick was the outcome.

Welling enjoyed their best spell of the match leading up to half-time.

Following a weak shot from Sheringham, easily gathered by Danny Gay, Smith hit a spectacular long range effort which clipped the top of the Gay’s right hand post with the keeper well beaten.

The second half began with a Fazackerley cross to Sheringham, but the angle was too tight and he could only find the side netting.

Rob Quinn was replaced by Jack Parkinson before Chelmsford doubled their lead, killing the match off as a contest.

Knight was given far too much space and time and his long range shot proved too good for Masters.

Masters, by far the busier of the keepers, had to be alert to save from Holmes before making a fine stop from a long range Berquez effort.

Johnson came close, curling a shot just wide, before Parkinson rifled an effort two feet over the bar.

Cobbs, who was probably Welling’s best player, received his second unfortunate yellow card of the weak for an innocuous challenge before Sinclair was replaced by debutant Days.

Parkinson became the second Wing in the inconsistent referee’s notebook prior to Smith’s replacement by Richard Stevens.

Jeff Minton became the Clarets’ first booking for a cynical foul on Sanchez Ming shortly before Mr Berry finally blew his final whistle at 5pm.

Andy Ford’s side travel to St Albans City tomorrow evening hoping for a little success before this bad month comes to an end.

Welling: Masters, Ming, Cobbs, Quinn (Parkinson 50), Andrews, Sinclair (Days 75), Johnson, Blackburn, O. Smith (Stevens 80), Sheringham, Fazackerly. Sub not used: Delando Smith. Att: 1,408.