Three goals in nine minutes either side of half time saw Welling United through against Margate in the first round of the F.A.Youth Cup.

In the early stages, Margate looked lively and Harrison Hume had the first shot of the game that went wide.

Their next effort was a lot closer when Harvey Killick stole in but his effort was deflected on the post and wide.

At the other end, Welling had a good chance when Alfie Fulbrook leapt unopposed but headed over from Jack Raines’ corner.

Adekunle Bakare burst clear on a swift Margate break but Olumannis Gossemna was out bravely to save.

Jack Bray set off another slick Margate break and Sid Warden looked like he was in for a shot but Raines made up ground and a perfect tackle to keep Margate at bay. Then Killick got in behind but his chip over the onrushing Gossemna drifted beyond the far post.

Warden’s ball juggling then created a shooting chance but his volley flew over.

However, it was not all one way traffic and Ethan Grant got clear for Welling but his shot lacked conviction and Lewis Mitchell made a good save. That gave Margate another opportunity to break and Harrison Hume was thwarted when his shot was blocked.

Killick did have the ball in the Welling net but there had been a clear foul on Gossemna and it was disallowed.

Five minutes before the break, Welling went ahead when Raines lined up a free kick from the right and put it inside the near post with Mitchell floundering.

Lucas Hart fired over for Welling as they finished the first half strongly.

If they finished the first half strongly, they started the second on fire. Hart threaded a ball down the touchline and Ollie Milton sped away, cut in, and finished emphatically.

Then Ethan Grant tucked in a third from fifteen yards when getting on the end of a good move while Margate were still recovering.

After that, Welling sat back and protected their lead making it difficult for Margate to get in behind. Henry Ik-Eije put in a teasing that Gossemna could only tip against his own bar and out.

Olly Baker’s free kick from the half way line was met by Bray who got in behind but he was unable to hit the target with his header.

On a rare raid, Tom Hever went on a weaving run before firing towards the bottom corner but Mitchell made a great save pushing around the post.

Raines then almost repeated his feat from the first half with another free kick that went just over with Mitchell beaten.

As time started to run down, Margate threw Bray further forward and he fired well wide from 25 yards.

Fulbrook then made a bit of a hash of a back pass allowing substitute Tom Webster a chance but his attempt to lob Gossemna was unsuccessful as the Wings keeper stretched to palm it away.

Two minutes into the six additional minutes played, Margate pulled one back when Ik-Eije showed good skill on the bye-line before presenting Warden with a tap in but it was too little, too late and they did not trouble the Welling defence again.

Welling can now look forward to the draw for the second round to see if they can continue their impressive run.

 

Welling United: Gossemna, French, Raines, Hughes, Fulbrook, Edwards, Hart (West 86), Hever, Grant (Belcher 58), Milton, Mampono (Noombe 75).

Subs not used: Newman, Coller.

 

Margate: Mitchell, Killick, Dockwray, Fenton (Ghali 63), Bray, Baker, Warden, Hume, Bakare (Webster 80), Ik-Eije, Conteh.

Subs not used: Mallon. Nwanoske.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Raines (40), Milton (48), Grant (49)

Yellow cards: French, Milton

Red cards:

 

Margate:

Goalscorers: Warden

Yellow cards: Hume

Red cards:

 

Man of the match: Jack Raines

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.