FINAL SCORE

BATH CITY 0 WELLING UTD 2 Mccallum 26, Mills 81

Bath City’s four-game home winning streak was halted by a goal in each half from fellow high flyers Welling United. The game had been played out in front of a bumper crowd of 1,585, boosted by the Community Day festivies, for the highest home league attendance since a National League clash with Grimsby Town attracted 1,808 to Twerton Park in 2011. Welling were on the front foot from the get-go and had City scrambling immediately. Nassim L’ghoul gave an early insight into his direct, tricky running as he teased Joe Raynes and forced a save from Ryan Clarke’s knees, an important clearance preventing any chance of a rebound goal. After six minutes of Wings domination, the game evened out with City getting their own spells of possession. Welling sat deep, probing out to apply pressure on the man in possession and ward off any Romans threats. A long-range drive from Raynes was the first attempt of the day for City. The right-back’s effort was well-struck but held by Welling stopper Dan Wilks. The opening goal arrived on 26 minutes, when Gavin Mccallum raced on to a flick-on as Clarke and Jack Batten left the ball for each other, and deftly lifted over the home custodian’s shoulder and just over the line. Batten could not head a Matt Richards free-kick wide enough of the keeper to find the net, as City finished the first half stronger. Ross Stearn scooped into the hands of Wilks, while Adam Mann fired over to end a lung-busting counter. Sean Rigg eventually limped off following a tackle by Arnaud Mendy, as the sturdy Welling defence kept City at arm’s length. The visitors were unable to make the most of their opportunties as the Romans gradually began to create, Stearn running on to a Mann lay-off and hammering over. The wideman also pulled away from his man on the left and shot into Wilks’ body from a tight angle. City should have levelled when sub John Mills was played in behind by a perfect through ball, only to dally and delay his shot, which allowed a defender to get back and make a sliding tackle. The ball still fell for both Stearn and Mills again, who had efforts saved in the ensuing scramble. And almost immediately the hosts were punished as Danny Mills fought off Batten in the sixyard box and jabbed home.