Two teams enduring disappointing league campaigns had the distraction of the DFDS Kent Senior Cup Final with the glory going to Welling United when they defeated Ebbsfleet United.

Brian Statham’s Wings rode their luck when the Fleet rattled the woodwork four times in the first half an hour, however they were probably good value for their victory overall at Gillingham’s Priestfield stadium.

Martell Taylor-Crossdale had the first effort of the match for Welling after good work by Finn Ballard-McBride before the Fleet came close with a free kick by George Moncur that hit the post. Although it was recycled, Tyler Cordner was unable to keep his shot down.

Dominic Poleon then burst through for Ebbsfleet and lobbed it over Rhys Lovett but Max Statham back-tracked well and hooked it off the line.

Jez Davies, on debut on loan from Salford City, was just off target with a shot for Welling against a team for whom he played earlier in the season before the Fleet again came close when Moncur’s shot clattered the bar.

Taylor-Crossdale caught a defender dithering and nicked it away before being thwarted by a good save by Felix Goddard. However, the Fleet goalkeeper was powerless to stop Welling from going ahead midway through the first half. Davies got into a good position and squared to Josh Redfearn and he gave Goddard no chance with a clinical finish.

Poleon again got behind the Welling back line and hit a shot that came back off the post before he had another chance with a flick lob over Rhys Lovett that clipped the back of the bar as it came down on the roof of the net.

Moncur shot well wide then Greg Cundle played a one-two with Poleon before side-footing past the post. However, Welling had the last chance of the first half when Taylor-Crossdale did well to create a chance for substitute Sahid Kamara and Goddard tipped his shot into the side netting.

Early in the second period, Luke O’Neill flicked a header wide from a corner before Welling put together a good move involving Redfearn and Ballard-McBride that ended with Goddard making a fine close range save from Taylor-Crossdale.

Franklin Domi, who had only been on the pitch for fourteen minutes, made an awful challenge on Ballard-McBride and came off worse. Although the Welling player had to be replaced, he was able to walk off unlike the Fleet substitute who was carried off on a stretcher and shown a yellow card on his way to the tunnel.

Although Ebbsfleet probed for a leveller in the last twenty minutes, the Wings defence held firm and only a Poleon shot that was well off target bothered them until the game moved into stoppage time.

Another ten minutes was played, but Welling kept their opponents at arms length until the final few seconds when O’Neill shot over from twenty yards.

Ebbsfleet United: Goddard, Chapman, Cundle (Domi 53 ( Anthony 70)), O’Neill, Olagunju, Cordner (Maktelow 46), Moncur, Bingham (Cosgrave 70), Poleon, Aoraha (Bolger 53).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Olagunju (44 foul), Domi (70 foul), Chapman (90+3 foul)

Welling United: Lovett, Z. Walker (Kamara 38), H. Walker, Statham, Quick, Di Trolio, Ballard-McBride (Cornish 70), Bramble, Redfearn, Taylor-Crossdale (Briscoe 78), Davies (Kashket 90+4).

Sub not used: Moore.

Goalscorer: Redfearn (23)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Joseph Dann-Pye 

Assistants: Joshua-Williams and Adrian Tranter

Fourth Official: Dan Blades

Attendance: 1132

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.