Welling United slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat to St Albans City at Clarence Park of Saturday afternoon. 

After falling behind just before the break, the Wings battled back to find an equaliser through Eze Ebuzoeme 10 minutes into the second-half.

But parity would only last three minutes with the hosts bagging the eventual winner just before the hour mark.

The Saints’ opener came via a corner – a delivery from the left was met by the outstretched boot of Leo Sery at the far post on 41 minutes to ensure that the home side would head into half-time with a slender advantage.

It took just 10 minutes after the restart for Welling to pull themselves level. When a knockdown fell kindly to Ebuzoeme 12 yards out, the midfielder hit a low volley which nestled in the bottom left-hand corner.

The Wings could not build on that goal, however, with St Albans taking just three minutes to regain their advantage via another set-piece. This time a free-kick delivery from the left was flicked on by the head of Michael Bostwick and finding its way into the bottom corner, out of the reach of Kai McKenzie-Lyle.

Welling fought to find a way back and came close when Tom Leahy’s effort was cleared off the line late on, but they could not find the goal to earn  themselves a point in Hertfordshire.

The Wings will go again on Tuesday evening when they head to Cray Valley (PM) in the London Senior Cup.

Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle, O’Neill, Majotegbe, Dobbs, Adjetey-Brew, Ebuzoeme, Paxman, Allen (Scott 72), Ufuah (Cundle 50 (Williams-Bushell 70)), Leahy, Akinwande (Redfearn 73).

Subs (not used): McIntosh.

Goal: Ebuzoeme 55

(Photo: Peter Jozwiak)