by Matthew Panting

Two first-half Lee Clarke goals ensured Welling United kept the pressure on Blue Square Bet South leaders Woking on Saturday.

The Wings were never troubled against an in-form Boreham Wood side who lacked any potency in attack.

Loick Pires went close early on for the Wings, who took the lead on 23 minutes when Luis Cumbers headed down Pires' deep left-wing cross and Clarke (pictured) took one touch before brilliantly firing home a volley from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later the impressive Pires exchanged passes with Jack Obersteller before his run into the area was ended by Sam Lechmere.

Referee Michael George pointed to the spot and Clarke tucked away the penalty.

Player-manager Jamie Day almost set-up a third six minutes before the break with a driving run at the heart of the Boreham Wood defence, but Cumbers failed to finish Pires' cross.

Boreham Wood created their best chance five minutes before the break but Michael Thalassitis sent his shot wide of the near post with just keeper Dan Thomas to beat.

Chances were few and far between for both sides after the break as Welling successfully kept their first clean sheet since the 0-0 draw with Dover, seven games ago.

The Wings almost made it three with just six minutes left when leading scorer Andy Pugh set-up Pires but his left foot shot was beaten away by the keeper.

A minute's silence was held before the game to remember former Wings defender Paul Collins, who sadly passed away recently.

Ten-man Bromley were on the end of a 6-1 drubbing at Chelmsford City in Blue Square Bet South on Saturday.

Hakeem Araba went close with a diving header early on for the visitors but Tutu Henriques saw red for a deliberate handball and Kezie Ibe gave the hosts the lead on 16 minutes.

Dave Rainford doubled the lead from the spot five minutes later and Max Cornhill made it three on the half-hour.

The hosts added a fourth on 52 minutes through Michael Bakare and though Lewis Taylor pulled one back for Bromley 11 minutes from time, there was still time for Joe Benjamin and Craig Parker to add more gloss to the scoreline.

Bromley remain 17th in the table.