City stay hot to regain top spot

City overcame swelteringly hot conditions and a determined Welling United performance to secure a 1-0 win at Park View Road this afternoon and return to the top of the Vanarama National League South.

The decisive goal came on 20 minutes when Jordan Thomas fired into the roof of the net from a narrow angle. City also had two strong penalty appeals waved away but it was the home side who enjoyed the majority of possession. However, despite patient build-up play their efforts time and again broke down in the final third.

City manager Jerry Gill was shown a red card as the players left the pitch at half-time and the second half saw the Wings continue to dominate, now playing down the considerable slope. Still City’s defence stood firm, although Ollie Wright produced a fine stop from Lema’s low shot on 50 minutes. Several great blocks kept Welling at bay and with the heat understandably taking its toll on both teams the game slowed in the final quarter. Welling did produce one final effort – either side of a Scott Wilson chance to give City breathing space that flew over the bar – with Adom getting past Wright but failing to pick out a teammate with his pull back and Tanga going down in the box but the referee once again was unmoved. Moments later his whistle signalled another excellent afternoon’s work for the Romans.