Full-time: Welling United 0-1 Chelmsford City.
Osman Foyo’s 85th minute goal earned Chelmsford City a late Christmas present on Boxing Day.
The Clarets travelled across the River Thames for a clash against Welling United, and played out an end-to-end clash at Park View Road.
Both teams created their fair share of opportunities to win maximum points; however substitute Kalvin Kalala’s delivery across the penalty area was poked home by Foyo with five minutes of normal time left to earn City maximum points.
Foyo returned to the fray after missing Saturday’s clash against Weymouth. Jake Hyde replaced the injured Jordan Greenidge up front while centre back Frankie Edwards was handed an immediate start, after his loan move to the EMJ Community Stadium was confirmed earlier on Boxing Day.
Both sides were unable to capitalise on the chances they had in the first half. Wings man Daniel Martin was in the thick of the action at both ends of the pitch during the opening 20 minutes. The full-back fired a shot just over the crossbar in the seventh minute, while his last-ditch challenge in the 20th minute prevented Kane Crichlow from testing Rhys Lovett after he had gone through on goal.
During the second period, City pushed harder in the final third before Foyo’s decisive goal. In an end-to-end six minutes, Charlie Ruff’s powerful 60th-minute header flew the wrong side of the post. Welling fired back four minutes later when Josh Redfearn tackled Cameron James on the halfway line. Redfearn raced towards the penalty box and unleashed a shot which bounced off the top of the woodwork and behind for a goal kick.
There was another chance for City in the 66th minute when Jake Hyde volleyed a high ball towards goal. Hyde’s effort was deflected behind for a corner by former Chelmsford City captain Dave Winfield, who was judged to have blocked Hyde’s shot legally, despite the City players’ appeals for a penalty.
Hyde was replaced in the 82nd minute by Kalala, who went on to set up Foyo’s winner less than 180 seconds after his introduction. Foyo seized upon Kalala’s accurate delivery from the left flank by connecting with the ball at the back post and poking it into the the net from close-range. The goal marked the Ipswich Town loanee’s 11th National League South strike of the season.
Rod Stringer’s side were unable to find an equaliser in added time, meaning City earned their supporters a late Christmas present on Boxing Day. The game marked the club’s final game of 2024, with Robbie Simpson’s men not due to return to action until New Year’s Day at home to Aveley.
Welling United XI: Lovett (GK); Johnson (Burchell 70′), Winfield (C), Kennedy, Alexandrou, Cornish, Lankshear, Bramble (Z Walker 87′), Martin, Redfearn (Taylor-Crossdale 76′), Statham.
Unused substitutes: Donkor, Grant.
Yellow cards: None.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins; Williams, Edwards, James (C), Oguntayo; Penney, Bendle (Donaldson 60′), Foyo, Ruff (McConnell 68′), Crichlow (Barnum-Bobb 90+5′); Hyde (Kalala 82′)
Unused substitutes: Bland
Yellow cards: Penney 26′, Bendle 54′, Williams 78′
Match Officials: Dan England (Referee), Edward Smith (Assistant Referee), David Spain (Assistant Referee), James Berry (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 960
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