Welling United 0-1 Chelmsford City - We can compete with the bigger teams in our league, says Day

Tuesday 01st December 2009

WELLING UNITED 0-1 CHELMSFORD CITY
Blue Square South
Tuesday 1st December 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road

WELLING UNITED boss Jamie Day remained upbeat despite his honeymoon period coming to an end tonight.

The Wings’ six-match unbeaten run ended, courtesy of Ricky Holmes’ 22nd minute volley, which won the game for physically strong Chelmsford City.

“I learnt that we can compete with the bigger teams in our league,” Day told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“I’m disappointed that we’ve lost and the run’s come to an end, but there’s positives to take out of tonight’s game.”

The 30-year-old added: “Financially, they’ve got a lot of money and they get big crowds. They’ll be around the play-off’s and I think from tonight’s game I don’t think we’re too far away from teams like that.”

The Wings were without both striker Tommy Whitnell, who has been awarded the player of the month in Blue Square South, (shin splints) and winger Tony Finn (ankle).

In what was a blood-and-thunder Blue Square South clash, it was the Kent side that could have broken the deadlock after 13 minutes.

Attacking left-back, Jack Obersteller, was released down the inside left channel and after cutting in forced a low save out of visiting goalkeeper Ashley Harrison at the second attempt.

The only goal of the game, however, arrived halfway through the first half.

Harrison’s goal-kick (following Andy Pugh’s left-footed effort from 30-yards which sailed over the crossbar) was allowed to bounce straight down the middle of the pitch and following a flick on by giant target man, Robert Edmans, Holmes’ hooked volley beat Charlie Mitten and found the net via the right-hand post, much to the delight of the travelling supporters at the Danson Park end of the ground.

“I’m disappointed that one ball’s beat us,” bemoaned Day. “The big lad’s got a flick on. The back four has played well in recent games covering round and the one time we don’t do it, the lad of that quality, we know what he can do, and he’s going to take a chance like that!”

Pugh, on loan from Gillingham, proved his worth as three of his shots on target was saved by Harrison.

After appeals for a 26th minute penalty fell on deaf ears, following a foul on Lee Clarke, the ball ran loose to Pugh, whose angled drive was blocked by Harrison’s legs.

Welling keeper Mitten, meanwhile, made his best save of the game on the half-hour mark.

Anthony Cook’s hooked ball over the top of the Wings back four was latched onto by Holmes, who brought the very best out of the keeper, who pushed the ball over the crossbar.

After a fine pass from central midfielder Sam Cutler, Pugh’s angled drive stung Harrison’s fingers with five first half minutes remaining.

After an early flurry, the second half was a disappointment with very few goalscoring opportunities and Welling playing too many balls into the air, which were comfortably dealt with by the giant Chelmsford defence.

Chelmsford midfielder, Oliver Berquez was thwarted by Mitten inside the opening 19 seconds of the second half, as Welling switched off.

With twenty minutes remaining, Holmes corner from the left was cut back to Matthew Lock and his cross was headed down and into Mitten’s arms by Edmans.

Pugh had a couple late chances to equalise, his best chance coming from a cross from the left from Michael Deane, which he headed straight into the grateful Harrison’s arms.

But the Wings weren’t going to beat a resilient Chelmsford side and too make matters worse for the Kent side, assistant manager, Barry Ashby was asked to leave the technical area for going eyeball-to-eyeball with Chelmsford’s left-back, Michael Haswell in front of the home dug-out, although to Ashby’s credit he did apologise to the visiting management team minutes after the final whistle as the victors were warming down.

“I think one of their players got carried away and wouldn’t pick the ball up,” was Day’s take on the ugly 89th minute incident.

“I think Ash gave him the ball and he threw it back at him, so Ash is a big bloke, he’s not going to stand for that!”

Welling United drop one place to fourteenth in the Blue Square South table and welcome fourth-bottom Worcester City to Park View Road on Saturday.

“We’re not going to win every game until the end of the season, it’s gone now, we’ve dealt with it and we’ve not got to pick ourselves up and go on another four-five game run if we can and see where it takes us in the table,” said Day.

“It’s not going to be pretty, we’ll try and play, but at the end of the day if we can get another three points, which I’m hoping we can, if we play like we did tonight or we have done in previous games, I’m confident we can get a victory.

“I’m happy with what we’ve got, it’s just tinkering with a few little things. I’m happy with the way we’ve played and the commitment.

“I think we’re looking forward than behind.”

Welling United: Charlie Mitten, Ryan Johnson, Jack Obersteller (Sam Hurrell 70), Lee Clarke, Graeme Andrews, Jack Parkinson, Michael Deane, Sam Cutler, Andy Pugh, Jake Hobbs (Michael Bakare 73), Loui Fazackerley.
Subs: Andy Sambrook, Matt Bennett, Jamie Day.

Booked: Jake Hobbs 34, Jack Parkinson 87

Chelmsford City: Ashley Harrison, Steve Clark, Michael Haswell, Mark Haines, Steve Ward, David Rainford, Oliver Berquez, Anthony Cook, Robert Edmans, Matthew Lock, Ricky Holmes.
Subs: Ryan Batchford, Ben Martin, John Martin, Tyrone Scarlett, Lewis Batchford.

Goal: Ricky Holmes 22

Attendance: 500
Referee: Mr Paul Harris (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Paul Burton (Redhill, Surrey) & Mr Simon Finnegan (Maidstone)