Report: Cheltenham 2-0 Welling
Goals from Danny Wright and Dan Holman secured a 2-0 win as Cheltenham extended their unbeaten run in the Vanarama National League to 19 games, just two games shy of their all-time National League record.
With Forest Green winning too, the race at the top is heating up nicely going into the final third of the season.
The high-flying Robins had large amounts of the possession in the opening 15 minutes. Dan Holman did well down the left before striking the upright, and then James Dayton’s fierce effort was palmed away by the Welling number one.
Cheltenham finally took the lead in the 17th minute after a whipped cross from Cranston, on his full debut, was headed home by Danny Wright for his 19th of the season.
Chances were few and far between towards the end of the first half. Dayton forced a save from Rodak in the Welling goal not once but twice. On the stroke of half time, Barthram’s vicious effort was saved well.
Unchanged into the second half, Cameron Burgess went close with a header as the Robins looked to settle the nerves with an early second half goal.
The second goal was stabbed home by Holman, after the tireless Wright’s goal-bound shot trickled towards the line, a proper poacher’s finish.
A neat turn and shot from Asa Hall brought another good save from the impressive Rodak, it could have been more had he not been on form.
The introduction of Harry Pell and Jack Munns from the bench gave the Robins different options to what the dangerous Dayton and Hall offered.
Pell was, however, taken off just twelve minutes later following a strong tackle, with Waters replacing him.
Waters was close to making it three after rounding the keeper but a superb recovering tackle denied him at the last.
Cheltenham face Kidderminster in their game in hand on Tuesday 17th, looking to extend their lead at the top to four points.