by Matthew Panting

It was a tale of two tackles as 10-man Welling held Chelmsford to a draw in Blue Square Bet South on Saturday.

Welling player-boss Jamie Day (pictured) was at the centre of both incidents. His excellent challenge on visiting skipper David Rainford just two minutes before half-time helped set up the home side’s equaliser.

But his foul on Max Cornhill just before the hour mark was met with a red card and meant his side had to play the last half-hour with 10 men.

Chelmsford, unbeaten on their travels this season, went ahead on 14 minutes when a right-wing corner was headed in at the far post by Cornhill.

Welling, unbeaten at home so far this campaign, responded and Loick Pires missed a great chance after Day’s cross picked him out.

The Wings were level by half-time, when Day’s challenge sent Luis Cumbers away and his intelligent cross picked out Pires, whose left-foot finish went in off the far post.

Jack Evans and City’s Justin Miller were both cautioned early in the second half but referee Daniel Cook deemed Day’s challenge on Cornhill was worthy of a sending-off. Day went in with just one foot but the official, with the visiting dugout rushing on to the pitch straight in front of the incident, decided it was reckless enough to warrant a red card.

Ironically, Welling looked the better team with 10 men. They sat deep and soaked up what the visitors had to offer. Had Cumbers produced a better finish, the Wings might have gone ahead 10 minutes from time when keeper Stuart Searle kept up the tradition of Chelmsford stoppers from last season by making a howler against the Wings.

Loui Fazackerley also went close for the Wings but it was Chelmsford who nearly snatched the points but Rainford missed a trademark header from a left-wing cross, nodding the ball wide of the far post after arriving late in the box.

Do you think this was a point gained or two dropped for Welling? Let us know your views below