Play-off semi-final at Park View Road this afternoon which provided some real drama for the 2,000 fans in attendance. Chelmsford City (apologies for referring to them as Town in previous posts) brought a decent following of maybe 600 fans who enjoyed an exciting game in Spring sunshine.
Welling took a two-nil first-half lead in the league fixture a few weeks ago and they held on to coast to victory in the second-half. They started similarly today with two first-half goals which were both scrambled in from close range after fine efforts on goal, the first of which the visiting keeper parried and the second which cannoned off the inside of the post from a Thierry Audel strike and which I think David Ijaha poked in.
Chelmsford looked beaten at that point but shortly before half-time they won a free-kick and Wilks was beaten by the strike. Two-one at half-time and there was an uneasy feeling that the goal might spur Chelmsford on to take the initiative in the second-half. They are a big strong side who like to lump the ball high at very opportunity. Welling had tried to compete with this in the first-half but having changed to playing it on the floor in the second, they controlled the half without really pressing home their advantage.
Five minutes from the end, Chelmsford had a shot from distance which was high to the centre of the Wings goal. Wilks had it covered but it moved a bit in the air and he tried to parry and collect it but it spun from his hands and dropped under the bar for an undeserved equaliser. The visitors were cock-a-hoop, including two melons in the main stand who appeared to be offering Welling fans out for a fight. I wish I had been close enough to oblige.
Welling re-focused and pressed for a winner. Danny Mills was inches wide with a header and then a second effort also missed the far post when it looked in all the way. In the first minute of added time, the mercurial Brendan Kiernan picked a ball up wide and ran pell-mell down the flank. He was met by the full-back as he turned into the box and was brought down for a penalty. He stepped up and drove it home off the keeper to avoid the need for extra-time and send the Wings into a play-off final at Woking next Sunday (3pm).
Woking have already beaten the Wings at their place in both the league and the cup with Welling having had moments to score in both games which were very close. They need to hold their nerve and go for it next week because they have the footballing game to win if they press the home side. Wealdstone took a 2-0 lead there today but the professional Woking outfit fought back to score three in the last 15 minutes.
Welling took a two-nil first-half lead in the league fixture a few weeks ago and they held on to coast to victory in the second-half. They started similarly today with two first-half goals which were both scrambled in from close range after fine efforts on goal, the first of which the visiting keeper parried and the second which cannoned off the inside of the post from a Thierry Audel strike and which I think David Ijaha poked in.
Chelmsford looked beaten at that point but shortly before half-time they won a free-kick and Wilks was beaten by the strike. Two-one at half-time and there was an uneasy feeling that the goal might spur Chelmsford on to take the initiative in the second-half. They are a big strong side who like to lump the ball high at very opportunity. Welling had tried to compete with this in the first-half but having changed to playing it on the floor in the second, they controlled the half without really pressing home their advantage.
Five minutes from the end, Chelmsford had a shot from distance which was high to the centre of the Wings goal. Wilks had it covered but it moved a bit in the air and he tried to parry and collect it but it spun from his hands and dropped under the bar for an undeserved equaliser. The visitors were cock-a-hoop, including two melons in the main stand who appeared to be offering Welling fans out for a fight. I wish I had been close enough to oblige.
Welling re-focused and pressed for a winner. Danny Mills was inches wide with a header and then a second effort also missed the far post when it looked in all the way. In the first minute of added time, the mercurial Brendan Kiernan picked a ball up wide and ran pell-mell down the flank. He was met by the full-back as he turned into the box and was brought down for a penalty. He stepped up and drove it home off the keeper to avoid the need for extra-time and send the Wings into a play-off final at Woking next Sunday (3pm).
Woking have already beaten the Wings at their place in both the league and the cup with Welling having had moments to score in both games which were very close. They need to hold their nerve and go for it next week because they have the footballing game to win if they press the home side. Wealdstone took a 2-0 lead there today but the professional Woking outfit fought back to score three in the last 15 minutes.
It's a 3pm kick off. Whatever the outcome it's been an enjoyable season!
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