Saturday 27th August 2005	Nationwide Conference South	Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road
Welling United	0
Yeading	1	David Clarke 74

Welling United lost their unbeaten record to Yeading at Park View Road today - and manager Adrian Pennock admits his side "were not at the races," writes Stephen McCartney. Former Dover Athletic star David Clarke nodded home the only goal of the game with sixteen minutes remaining in a game the West Londoners fully deserved to win. But Wings' striker Danny Kedwell, whose made the switch from Kent League to Nationwide Conference South football like a duck to water, impressed and worked tirelessly throughout. The Kent side had picked up seven points from their opening three league games but they were on the back foot against a side that clinched the Ryman Premier League title last season, and who can forget their FA Cup clash with Premiership outfit Newcastle United. And they should have taken the lead after seven minutes when Delroy Preddie's long ball was flicked on by Darrell Cox and Davis Haule captalised on Chris Moore's mistake but was denied by smart goalkeeping by Jamie Turner. Four minutes later Turner allowed Darti Brown's low drive roll wide of the post. Welling created two good chances in the first half.  After 32 minutes Jamie Day played a long ball to Kedwell wide on the left.  The former Herne Bay striker drove a cross to the far post to Matt Carruthers and he teed up Day but his 20-yard shot was comfortably saved. And after Yeading striker Cox was lucky to stay on the pitch following an off-the-ball incident on Chris Moore as Charlie Mapes was preparing to take a free kick, Welling almost stole the lead on two occassions either side of half-time. Carruthers' cross from the right was met by a powerful header by Kedwell from close range, but it was too close to the goalkeeper and a minute into the second half Kedwell met Adrian Clarke's free kick with another header, but Preddie made a brilliant flying save, clawing out the header. And just before the hour mark Day won possession in midfield and played the ball over the top for Kedwell but his shot took a deflection and nestled into the side netting. At the other end Mapes unleashed a fierce low drive from 20-yards, which went agonisingly wide of the foot of the far post. But Yeading scored the deserved winner with sixteen minutes left.  Midfielder David Clarke - who keeps hold of the ball very well - drove forward from midfield and played the ball inside for unmarked substitute Errol Telemaque. His fierce drive was tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Jamie Turner but the home defence were slow to react and Clarke nipped in to nod home the winner from close range. Welling threw men forward late on - playing three at the back - but they could not find the goal to steal a point. In the post-match press conference Wings' boss Adrian Pennock admitted: "I'll be honest with you, we were poor.  We just huffed and puffed and that was it really. "I think they (Yeading) deserved it to be honest with you.  We just weren't at the races, a bit lethargic but it's one of those things.  We just crack on and get on with it and look forward to Monday." Pennock takes his side to Eastbourne Borough on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm) looking to bounce back. "It's a difficult place to go and after losing we just want to get back to winning ways," he said. "They are strong, I went to see them last Tuesday and they were very organised, very strong, a big team and they will be a good test for us.  We've got to be up for it after losing at home." Pennock explained why he thought his side lost their first game of the season. "We've had a good start to be fair," he said.  "We just looked a bit leggy today and too many people were playing as individuals, playing their own game instead of as a team, which disappointed me a little but but I can't fault them for effort but we just huffed and puffed and just didn't get anywhere really." However, Pennock admitted he is happy with his current squad.  "I am always looking for more and improve the squad," he said. "But I'm pleased with what I've got in.  I'm pleased with the squad, we've only had one defeat and there is a long way to go. "People's expectations levels were going through the roof a little bit after the start we've had.  No one likes losing, so we just can't wait for Monday." Goalkeeper Jamie Turner, however, admits their trip to Priory Lane on Monday is a "massive game" after losing today. "Unbeaten after three games you want to carry it on as far as you can, but from the first whistle I don't think we were at the races," said the 25-year-old. Although Yeading dominated throughout, Turner wasn't really tested, but he admitted he could have dealt better with Telemaque's shot, which lead to the winning goal. "I look back at it now and wish I'd got a bit more than a touch onto it  and push it over the bar," he said. "But I got as much as I could on it but there were three attackers on two defenders.  Something went wrong some where." He added: "We looked a bit leggy as well and the gaffer picked that up and it was a shame as we had a few chances, we couldn't put a couple (of them) away." Turner says he is settling in well following his summer move from Tonbridge Angels - and has high hopes for Mr Kedwell. "I know a few of the players from the Gravesend days and I know Adie (Pennock) and Phil (Handford) really well, and that was my main decision," he said. "I knew the way they worked and basically I wanted to come back and play at a better level. "I've never played with him (Kedwell) before and what a talent he is! "He's only young and if he's guided the right way, with the right attitude he can play a bit further than this."

Welling United: Jamie Turner, Lee Gledhill, Matt Lee, Steve Perkins, Chris Moore (Capt), Matt Carruthers (Daniel Moore 67), Rob Owen, Danny Kedwell, Adrian Clarke, James Pinnock, Jamie Day (Lew Watts 83).  Subs: Darren Ibrahim (GK), Danny Lawson, Leon Salomon Yeading: Delroy Preddie, Steve Wales, Michael Johnson (Marc Leach 85), Bobby Behzadi, Nevin Saroya, Alex Stanley, Charlie Mapes, Darti Brown (Capt), Darrell Cox (Errol Telemaque 62), Davis Haule (Emond Protan 80), David Clarke.  Subs: Luke Blackmore, Jermian Roache Attendance: 566 Referee: Mr G Hambling (Norwich) Assistants: Mr K Stone (Ramsgate) & Mr M Stavely (Folkestone)