Josh Castiglione scored a last-gasp Chelmsford City winner in a sensational contest away to Welling United.
City struggled to find their feet early on, and almost were a goal behind after the hosts were awarded a penalty that was saved brilliantly by Josh Oluwayemi.
Welling continued to atack as young striker David Kamara linked up well with Jephte Tanga, the later then had a chance which he saw float over the crossbar.
The Clarets did seem to become more comfortable on the ball into the last 5 minutes of the half as chances fell to Samir Carruthers and Anthony Wordsworth.
Mohammed Dabre then let fly with a curled effort which looked as if it would challenge ‘keeper Ben Winterbotom, but the shot was caught firmly.
Proceedings did seem to even out as chances began to fall both ways, notably when Charlie Ruff attempted a spectacular overhead kick just before the referee blew for half time.
HALF TIME – WELLING UNITED 0-0 CHELMSFORD CITY
Chelmsford had the brighter start to the second half; however, the hosts remained a threat as Tanga found himself in space before he ratled a shot off Oluwayemi’s near post.
Despite this, City continued to show promise in atack, and it wasn’t long after a darting run by Dabre the ball found Ruff in the box, and he sloted home to give his team the lead.
The lead was almost doubled as Jazzi Barnum-Bobb put a cross toward the back post where Ben Brookes headed goalward and forced a sensational save from Winterbotom.
Welling ramped up the pressure as the half progressed, newly subbed Kareem Isiaka found himself through on goal and round Oluwayemi before Frankie Terry blocked his shot on the line.
Unfortunately for Robbie Simpson’s side, their defensive solidarity was eventually broken down as Kain Adom found the net with a powerful finish.
Tempers started to flare into the final five minutes, with both sides gunning for a winner, two red cards were handed out to Clarets’ defender Terry and Welling attacker Amadou Kassarate. Kassarate was sent off for what looked to be dissent having already been cautioned. Terry was given a straight Red Card just a couple of minutes later for a tackle on Tanga.
The game continued to hold spectators firmly on the edge of their seats as City forced a huge chance for Castiglione who fired the ball on to the post, achingly close to a winner.
Just as it seemed all options had been exhausted Dabre and Ruff combined to start one last Chelmsford push, before the ball was slid to Castiglione who smashed home a winner and sent the Clarets’ fans into raptures.
The party was not over though, as the arrival of the full-time whistle sparked mass celebrations to end what was an enthralling contest and massive result for Chelmsford.
The Clarets return to action this Saturday when Havant and Waterlooville visit the Melbourne Community Stadium.
FULL TIME – WELLING UNITED 1-2 CHELMSFORD CITY
Chelmsford City: Oluwayemi; Brookes, Jenkins, Terry, Barnum-Bobb; Ebuzoeme, Wordsworth (Ruff 43’), Castiglione, Carruthers (Francis 79’); Bettamer (Jones 60’), Dabre
Unused subs: Mills, Hockey
Goals: Ruff 62′, Castiglione 90+9′
Cautions: Simpson 16′, Ebuzoeme 30′, Francis 85′
Sent Off: Terry 90′
Welling United: Winterbotom; Green, Olomowewe, Burchell, Byrd; Odusanya (Kassarate 57’), Vaughan, Bramble; Wood (Isiaka 67’), Tanga, Kamara (Adom 67’)
Unused subs: Papadopolous, MacAllister
Goals: Adom 83′
Cautions: T. Bloor 43′, Wood 45+2′, Kassarate 64′
Sent Off: Kassarate 88′
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