Bumper Community Day crowd can’t lift City to Wings win

City’s four-game winning run at Twerton Park was ended this afternoon as Welling United beat them by two goals to nil. For long periods of the game – played in front of a record Community Day crowd of 1585 – the well-drilled visitors denied City time and space and then took full advantage of their rare sights of Ryan Clarke’s goal. The opening stages of the game suggested a much more attacking approach from the Kent side as they penned City in their own half and Clarke had to be alert to deny L’Ghoul with his legs in the second minute. However, the true pattern of the match was soon set with Welling sitting back and content to prevent City building any rhythm. Their pressing in midfield was very effective and on 26 minutes hesitation in the City defence allowed McCallum to reach the ball ahead of Clarke and lift it into the net. Although City began to show glimpses of the recent form after this they failed to fashion any clear chances before the interval. The second half started with John Mills and Sean Rigg getting crowded out on the edge of the Welling area then Ross Stearn finally got away from the Welling backline but saw his shot blocked by keeper Wilks. City’s best opening came with 10 minutes left when Mills was sent clear but he delayed his shot which allowed a defender to slide in and despite follow up efforts from him and Stearn the danger was averted. And a minute later City failed to deal with a Jebb cross which allowed Mills to poke home a second goal and ensure the points would be heading back East.