Saturday 7 December 2002 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

Ironically City starting line-up was almost identical to the one that began the season at Ilkeston Town 15 years (sorry, weeks) ago. With Chris Honor and Jamie Gosling restored in place of Gary Kemp and Andy Minturn, the only player not to face the Ilson was Paul Milsom. The early play matched the conditions and, in truth, set the tone for the whole game. Both sides looked deviod of attacking threat and although City probably edged possession it made little difference. The best opening in this period came from a mistake by Mark Bryant. He slipped when claiming a routine cross and could only push it toward Watts. The Welling number 8 got a shot on target but Mike Trought spared his keepers blushes by blocking it on the line. Watts also missed another half chance three minutes later, shooting wide from Riviere's low cross. With Gosling fading out of the game after a few neat early touches and Andy Williams having one of his Homebase games (ie he'd have been more use there on the tills) what little danger City were creating came from Frankie Bennett. A couple of strong runs and crosses briefly lifted the home fans hopes but these came to nothing - a Trought header that Jason Eaton just failed to connect with the best end result. Both sides were left to try their luck from distance but Eaton and Milsom for City and Booth and Seabury for the Kent side never really tested either keeper.

The interval finally arrived and broke the tedium for fifteen minutes or so. Unfortunately the second half had to start evetually and normal service was soon restored. The players did their best to entertain themselves with a little mêlée in the 53rd minute. Watts late challenge on Honor started the nonsense, although the Welling midfielder was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card. Five minutes later Bryant had to be alert to save at the feet of Riviere after he evaded a couple of weak challenges. It looked as if both sides could have played on for hours without having the guile to break the deadlock but on 65 minutes City scored - unfortunately (and fittingly) it was in their own goal. Another Riviere centre appeared to pose little threat only for Honor to completely mess up his attempted clearance and turn the ball into the corner of his net. Booth should have doubled his sides lead two minutes later - firing over with Bryant exposed. Desperate for something to lift them out of their lethargy the 69th minute finally saw City make a change. Loan striker Matt Lewis replaced Jim Rollo and it was the 18-year old who at last sparked some life into the side. A surging 79th minute run took him past three defenders into the heart of United's area where Hone's clumsy challenge sent him sprawling. The referee pointed to the spot and City were handed a lifeline. Surprisingly Dan Cleverley lined the kick up - usual penalty taker Gosling left a slightly bewilered spectator - only to see his weak effort easily saved by Knight. And before City could get over this disappointment Welling went up the other end and scored their second. Knight's clearance picked out Riviere and he played it onto Booth who calmly slipped it past Bryant. Eight minutes remained but it may have well have been eight seconds as City never looked like getting even a consolation goal and City followers were left to wonder if they had spent the last seven months asleep (or in Chippenham).