Jack Evans notched a brace for Chatham Town as they saw off Welling United to progress to the final of the Kent Senior Cup.

Having clinched the Isthmian League South East championship four days earlier, they moved one step closer to winning a double.

It took just seven minutes for them to go ahead. Welling made the mistake of conceding a free kick in a dangerous position and Evans took full advantage by hitting it over the wall and inside the post.

Kyrell Lisbie had a chance to restore parity when he met Dylan Gavin’s deep cross but his first time shot flew wide before Evans tried his luck from long distance but his shot was saved easily by Kai McKenzie-Lyle.

Medy Elito then created a chance for himself for the Wings by checking back but he shot beyond the far post before McKenzie-Lyle made another straightforward save when Emmanuel Oloyede’s shot was deflected into his path.

Ike Orji pulled back from the bye-line and Amadou Kassarate’s headed interception flew over his own bar.

Finishing the first half strongly, Manny Parry headed over from an Elito corner, then Lisbie shot wide after being set up by Chi Ezennolim. Parry then came agonisingly close when his twenty yard effort crashed back off the base of the post, and Welling had one last chance before the break when Stefan Payne curled over after Ezennolim and Lisbie combined to create the opportunity.

After the interval, Paris Lock got behind the Welling defence but shot straight at McKenzie-Lyle but Chatham were happy to contain the Wings until they almost gave Welling an equaliser when Dean Beckwith’s header clattered against his own bar.

Shortly afterwards, Chatham scored their crucial second. Evans was sent clear and he lifted it over McKenzie-Lyle. Although the Guyanese international goalkeeper got a hand to it, he couldn’t get enough on it to stop it from floating into the net.

As the game moved into the latter stages, Antony Papadopoulos combined with Payne before shooting low for Nathan Harvey to save then Dan Nkrumah fired across the face of goal but Kassarate couldn’t force it home.

That proved to be the best that Welling could manage and Kevin Hake’s team saw off the remaining moment in relative comfort.

In the other semi-final, Margate saw off Ramsgate and will meet the Chats in the final at Gillingham on Wednesday 3rd May.

Chatham Town: Harvey, Orji, Taylor, Robins, Butler, Beckwith, Lock, Evans, Sanogo (Drury 86), Oloyede (Bradshaw 75), Peck (Saraiva 63).

Subs not used: Bridle-Card, Cooper.

Goalscorers: Evans (7), (73)

Yellow cards: Peck, Beckwith, Bradshaw

Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle, Cox, Ezennolim, Kassarate, Parry (Church 58), Sendles-White, Lisbie (Andrews 68), Elito, Payne, Gavin (Papadopoulos 56), Nkrumah.

Subs not used: Vendrells-Parcerisa, Namory.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Payne, Kassarate, Church

Referee: Simon Finnigan

Assistants: Kiran Cox and James Black

Fourth Official: Daniel Blades

Attendance: 411

Pictures supplied by Michael Brown.