A first-half strike from Klaidi Lolos followed by goals from Zac McEachran and Josh Parker sealed all three points for the Hoops in Reece Fleet's 350th appearance for the club.

The result leaves Ross Jenkins’ side in fourth place in Vanarama National League South, one place above next week’s opponents Worthing.

The squad was unchanged  from the 3-1 win away to Hungerford Town with the exception of Klaidi Lolos in the attacking line, who replaced Alfie Potter.

Despite City being in control for most of the game, it was the visitors who went close early on. Taylor Mahoney’s floated set-piece was met by the head of George Alexander only to be denied by an acrobatic Adnan Kanuric stop. A super save to deny the shot from finding the top corner.

City then began to gain a foothold in the game creating chances of their own.

Josh Ashby collected the ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was sent straight at Myles Roberts in the Welling goal.

City continued to press the visitors and Josh Parker picked out Aaron Williams-Bushell with a switch of play. Then, after a slick exchange between Williams-Bushell and Zac McEachran, a low strike from the wing back which was saved comfortably by Roberts.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute for the Hoops after Lolos was gifted space on the edge of the box before his low drive from the edge of the box was fumbled by Myles Roberts into his own net. A moment to forget for the Welling stopper.

Welling’s threat was limited in the first-half with Maloney blazing over from range after being teed up by Medy Elito but the visitors struggled to create any real chances in the first.

Half time: Oxford City 1-0 Welling United

City’s second-half got off to the best possible start when Ashby’s clipped pass found McEachran beyond the Welling backline, and the midfielder poked past the oncoming stopper to double the lead for just two minutes after the re-start.

Ross Jenkins’ side continued to push for a third when Williams-Bushell found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper, but Roberts did well to deny the winger getting down low to push away his low strike.

United were then gifted a huge opportunity to get back into the game when Stephan Payne was brought down in the box by Lewis Coyle. Penalty Welling. However, Mahoney stepped up to take the spot-kick but failed to convert, after he was denied by Adnan Kanuric who guessed where the midfielder was going.

The Hoops continued to try and kill the game off completely with McEachran and Lolos going close for the hosts.

McEachran continued to torment the Wings’ back line in an excellent display, his dribbling ability was on full display before a good passing move from the Hoops resulted in Coyle winning a free kick 25-yards out. Parker’s took the set-piece and his looping effort forced a brilliant save from Roberts.

In the end, City held strong against a Welling side seeking a way back into the game and were further rewarded with a third goal, after Parker latched onto a through ball slotting expertly into the bottom corner. Parker has now scored in City's last six games in the league.

The result was another indicator of the positive position the side are in with a tough visit from play-off rivals Worthing next week. Jenkins’ side will be hoping to continue an unbeaten 2023 with another strong performance in their next league outing.

Attendance: 560

Oxford City Starting XI: Kanuric, Miccio, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet (c), McEachran, Parker, Lolos, Williams-Bushell, Carroll.

Subs not used: Iaciofano, Carbon, Grantham, Humphrey-Ewers