Although a local derby, both Dartford and Welling United used their Kent Senior Cup match as an opportunity to play fringe players.

Most of Tony Burman’s Dartford squad have had some first team experience this season whereas only four of Loui Fazakerley’s squad have played in the Vanarama Premier this season.

It was the hosts who started the stronger and went on to win pretty comfortably.

In the 12^th minute, Tom Wynter sent a fierce header against the Welling post as he stole in from a far post corner.

Seven minutes later, the other post took a clout when Ronnie Vint let fly from 25 yards.

George Sykes was the next Dart to have a go when spinning but skewing wide.

Steve Gunner’s evening was cut short after twice needing attention from physio Callum Green, and former Thamesmead Town midfielder, Freddie Cray came on for the visitors.

Wynter, who stood on the terraces amongst the Welling supporters when the two teams contested the Conference South play-off decider five years ago, thought he had put the Darts ahead when bundling home at the far post only to be foiled by an offside flag.

Becka-Kah Dembele became the next Dart to put his head in his hands when his curler left Michael McEntegart stranded only to see it come back off the woodwork.

Quite how the half ended goal-less was a bit of a mystery.

Finally, in the 53^rd minute, Dartford went ahead. Not for the first time a corner caused problems and a flick on found Sykes with time and space to thrash home.

Barney Williams, Welling’s captain on the night, lead an attack that gave Cray a shooting opportunity, but his effort didn’t have the power to trouble Deren Ibrahim in the Dartford goal.

Another corner caused havoc but McEntegart got down well to smother Sykes’ shot.

James Fitchett made a superb tackle at the far post as Sykes looked certain to score.

Callum McNaugton doubled the Darts’ lead on 72 minutes when turning in Barry Cogan’s corner.

Every Dartford corner appeared to pose problems and McEntegart had to be down sharply to save again from McNaughton before claiming a long range effort from Andy Pugh at the second attempt.

Michael Bakare brought a good save out of Deren Ibrahim then Sandro Semedo shot wide as Welling finally asserted some pressure.

Kurtis Cumberbatch pulled one back with four minutes remaining after good work by Louis Birch.

Deep in injury time, Pugh charged down McEntegart’s clearance, before squaring to Sykes who picked out the overlapping Dajon Golding, and the young substitute finished with ease.

Dartford can now look forward to hosting Gillingham in the next round.

 

Dartford: Ibrahim, Gardiner Onyemah (Simmons 69), Wynter (McNaughton 63), Vint, Adams, Francis (Golding 74), Cogan, Sykes, Pugh, Harris.

Unused substitutes: Noble, Golding, Harris.

 

Welling United: McEntegart, Williams (Brand 71), Johnson, Birch, Fitchett, Armstrong, Cumberbatch, Gunner (Cray 30), Obafemi (Collins 71), Semedo, Bakare.

Unused substitutes: Bishop, Kempton.

 

Referee: Jack Packman

Assistants: Thomas Marshall and Daniel Procter

Attendance: 309

Man of the match: Becka-Kah Dembele

 

Pictures supplied by David Brown.