Danny Bloomfield emerged from the substitutes bench to clinch a crucial win for Cambridge City against fellow Conference League hopefuls Welling United at Park View Road on Saturday.

The visitors started the game with influential forward Matt Nolan restored to the team after recovering from injury in preference to Carl Wilson-Denis. Gary Roberts opted to pair Stuart Niven with Richard Scott in midfield with Carl Williams and Rob Miller operating down the flanks.

Rob Miller with Welling's Anthony Riviere in pursuit

The action began at a frenetic pace and City were quickly on the attack. Robbie Simpson was at the centre of things, as early as the 4th minute he recieved a quickly-taken throw-in with his back to goal, turned well and planted his effort two yards wide of the target. The teenage striker then embarked on an mazey run into the Welling penalty area. A neat body swerve took him past two defenders but with the target opening up in front of him he was unable to get a worthwhile effort in and the home side were able to clear their lines.

Both sides settled well and played some good accurate passing, and it wasn’t long before the home side threatened with a chance of their own. Anthony Riviere took on and beat Lewis Baillie but his cross was too deep and eluded everyone, eventually being picked up by Paul Booth on the left wing. He cut inside and got the better of Craig Pope and let fly from the edge of the box, the ball arrowed imperiously towards the top corner but Martin Davies produced a superb diving save, turning the ball onto the post and away to safety.

Welling were causing some concern to the visitors with Austin Berkeley prominent in the early exchanges. For City’s part, the passing and build-up play was excellent, only being let down by a lack of end product, Richard Scott tried his luck with a couple of long distance efforts, both off target. On 26 minutes, Williams first time ball through the channel released Simpson on another raid, Tim O’Shea was outpaced, but the strikers’ effort again lacked enough power to trouble the home goalkeeper.

Niven then set up Miller away on the right hand side, the midfielder scurried past Anthony Henry but his shot, through the legs of another defender, went straight at the keeper. As the rain, which had been threatening, finally came down City were warming to the task and growing in confidence. They were beginning to string some decent moves together. One such passage of play had the hosts under sustained pressure five minutes before the break. The four-man move prompted by Niven and Scott worked a good position for City but ultimately, Pope’s cross from the right disappointingly failed to pick anyone out.

Robbie Simpson under pressure from Anthony Henry

The second half began in watery sunshine and the visitors quickly began where they had left off in the first period, building attacks with patient passing. In the 51st minute, Pope’s stab forward released Scott down the right on another surging run. His cross was very nearly turned into the net by Miller, who had reacted quickly to get ahead of Kenny Dyer, but the ball flashed harmlessly a foot or so wide of the upright.

On the hour, City came desperately close to breaking the deadlock. Nolan won a tussle with Brian Statham out on the left touchline, his cross finding Miller over on the opposite flank via a couple of touches from Simpson and Williams. City’s playmaker spotted the onrushing Niven and played a deft pass into his path. The ex-Barnet midfielder crashed a glorious first time effort which cannoned against the crossbar. Keeper, Gavin Kelly, to his credit got fingertips to Niven’s rocket and the ball went behind for a rare City corner.

Miller was playing with his usual exuberance in his favoured right wing role and emabarked on a 7oth minute run which took him into a central position past Billy Burgess and Henry before trying his luck. His shot, although on-target, was close enough to the ‘keeper for him to effect a comfortable diving save.

With a little less than twenty minutes remaining, Danny Bloomfield was introduced to the action and the popular striker was soon involving himself. In the 74th minute, Simpson’s looped header forward freed the substitute and with the home defence and supporters yelling for an offside flag, he tore in towards goal. Unfortunately, his shot was too weak to trouble Kelly, but it had served notice of things to come. Sixty seconds later, that promise was fulfilled. Statham’s woefully short headed backpass was intercepted by the predatory Bloomfield and as the keeper came out to narrow the angle, he coolly slotted home from a rapidly decreasing angle, before being mobbed by jubilant team mates. A clinical finish, and one which wiped away weeks of frustration in front of goal for City’s top marksman.

Jubilant City players mob Danny Bloomfield following his goal

The lead was so nearly surrendered straight away. Welling retaliated and for once managed to open up City’s defence. Riviere took on and beat Williams and Baillie before setting up a decent shooting chance for Dyer, but with the goal gaping, he could only direct his effort into the avertising boards.

Welling had their share of possession in the second period, but were unable to unlock City’s stubborn defence, built around the impressive Lee Chaffey and Matt Langston. Chaffey in particular, was outstanding in the way he dealt with Welling’s aerial threat. The home side also forced numerous corners, but were unable to capitalize on any of them until they came desperately close to levelling matters in the 83rd minute from one such flag kick. Berkeley swung the ball in dangerously and substitute Tommy Tyne outjumped the vistiting defence to head at goal powerfully. To his, and the home fan’s dismay, the ball smacked against crossbar and down onto the line before being hacked behind. A miraculous escape for City. However, the pressure did not relent and the resulting flag kick was to produce another heartstopping moment for the visitors. City only partially cleared and Simpson had to be alert to charge down Henry’s piledriver as Welling threw everything into a last ditch effort to rescue a point. City survived and moments later the final whistle came as a welcome relief.

The importance of this win cannot be understated. City’s reward was their highest positition in the league table since the opening weeks of the season and more importantly, three points closer to qualification for the Conference League.

Post match reaction