There were goals galore and plenty of talking points at the Christopher Russell Stadium when Phoenix Sports were beaten by Welling United in the Kent Senior Cup.

It looked plain sailing for the visitors as they cruised to a two-nil half time lead but two Phoenix goals in a three minute spell that included a Welling red card changed the complexion of the game.

However, Elliott Long’s brace from the spot put the Wings back in command and, despite conceding again, they held on to progress to the semi-finals.

Kwaku Donkor missed an early chance for Welling when stabbing over from a Cameron Andrews pull back but he made amends when crossing for Josh Redfearn to finish from close range. 

Max Statham then delivered a cross that TJ Bramble headed over before the Sports had an opportunity when Richard Pingling cut in and shot however, James Poole, Wellings debutant goalkeeper and their fifth of the season, got down smartly to make the save.

Long then sent in a cross that came to Redfearn at an awkward height and he could only divert it wide of the near post with his knee before an Andrews free kick curled wide of the far upright. Bramble intercepted when Phoenix tried to pass out from the back and his shot came back out off the post.

Andrews had another attempt with a free kick that clipped the defensive wall and floated over before Long slipped him through and Andrew Zambrano-Reascos got down to make a good save.

Eventually, the Wings’ pressure bore fruit when they scored again. Donkor sent over another good cross, Redfearn knocked it back, and Bramble brought it down with his first touch before volleying home with his second.

One last chance fell to Welling before the break when Andrews sent Donkor through but he snatched at his shot and it flew over.

At the break, Phoenix made a double change and started to impose themselves on the game. Kristian Campbell hit a long range shot that was held at the second attempt before they pulled one back shortly after the hour mark. Kiye Martin’s corner was flicked goalwards and was kept out by Bramble’s arm. The Welling midfielder was shown a red card before Pingling fired home from the spot.

Two minutes later, Martin whipped in a free kick and Deshane Dalling headed home. 

Martell Taylor-Crossdale drew a comfortable save out of Zambrano-Reascos before the ten men Wings went back ahead. Donkor burst into the penalty area and was brought down by Will Grieveson. Long took the responsibility and sent the Phoenix goalkeeper the wrong way.

Five minutes later, Donkor again worked his way into the penalty area and, this time, he was tripped by Jack Turner. Long went the same way and Zambrano-Reascos again dived in the other direction. 

Searching for a quick fire hat-trick, Long shot just wide of the far post before the Sports pulled one back with eight minutes remaining. Harvey Browne let fly from over twenty-five yards and it whistled into the top corner.

Poole saved from Isaac Thompson then Jeff Duah-Kessie fired wide of the near post. One last corner gave Phoenix a final chance of taking the game to penalties but Thompson’s delivery clipped the bar.

Dover Athletic and Tonbridge Angels have already qualified for the semi-finals and are now joined by Welling. The remaining place will be taken by Bromley or Ebbsfleet United who will meet at Hayes Lane on a date yet to be arranged.

Phoenix Sports: Zambrano-Reascos, Campbell, Browne, Dalling, Cheeseman (Turner 46), Clarke (Grieveson 46), Quintyne (Brown 79), Elliott (Duah-Kessie 78), Pingling, Martin, Thompson.

Subs not used: None.

Goal scorers: Pingling pen (63), Dalling (65), Browne (82)

Yellow cards: Pingling, Martin, Grieveson

Welling United: Poole, Statham, Nkwonta, Bramble, Perkins, Burchell. Donkor, Andrews, Redfearn (Taylor-Crossdale 63), Long, Grant (Cornish 83).

Subs not used: Lankshear, Kennedy.

Goal scorers: Redfearn (7), Bramble (33), Long pen (70), pen (75)

Yellow cards: Grant, Burchell

Red card: Bramble (62)

Referee: Teddy Osborne

Assistants: Stuart Beadle and Mitchell Jukes

Fourth Official: Daniel Blades

Attendance: 160

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.