Two Bexley based clubs have progressed to qualify for this week’s F.A. Youth Cup 3rd Qualifying round.
Bostick Division One South Phoenix Sports have their academy based at Erith school and they are at this stage for the first time in the school’s history.
Vanarama National League South Division Welling United have a new academy this season so reaching this stage is also a fine achievement.
Starting in the Preliminary over, Phoenix defeated VCD Athletic 2-1 in a true local derby. Then, a similar scoreline saw them beat Dartford, again on home soil.
In the second preliminary round, they visited Ebbsfleet United and came away with a highly creditable 2-0 win. One of their players, Alfie Aldridge, has progressed into the Phoenix first team and scored on Saturday at Molesey.
Jack Parkinson’s team now host Whitehawk with the victors claiming a place in the first round at which point clubs from the football league.
Tristan Lewis has put a Welling United academy squad together from scratch so they can also be delighted with their progress.
They entered the competition at the first qualifying round stage and started their campaign with a 1-0 victory at Eastbourne Borough.
At the start of the month they again had to travel to the south coast winning 2-0 at Folkestone Invicta. Ollie Milton bagged a brace and has made his first team debut from the bench.
News was released last week that next year they will team up with Harris Academy, Falconwood.
As a reward for reaching the third qualifying round, they were drawn at home to play Dover Athletic.
The two matches take place this week as follows:
Welling United v Dover Athletic – Monday 16th October kick off 19:30 at Welling United FC, Park View Road, Welling.
Phoenix Sports v Whitehawk – Wednesday 18th October kick off 19:45 at Phoenix Sports, Mayplace Ground, Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath.