Although the Kent Senior Cup might not be the first priority for either team both managers played several first team starters in their line ups in a game they wanted to win.

At the end of an eventful evening, it was Welling United who prevailed, knocking out holders Dartford on penalties.

It was the hosts who came out the liveliest and Sam Hatton had a shot blocked after a good move had threatened to open up the Dartford defence.

Hatton then turned provider with a free kick that Pierre Joseph-Dubois headed over.

Then came Dartford’s first opening with Ellis Brown heading wide from Ryan Hayes’ inviting cross.

After 21 minutes, the Wings went ahead when Hatton’s free kick found Harry Crawford and his glancing header gave Deren Ibrahim no chance.

How it wasn’t one all less than a minute later is still a mystery. Another Hayes cross found Ben Francis all alone in the middle but with the goal at his mercy he headed softly straight at Harry Girling in the Welling goal.

Girling was in action again, getting down well to save from Lee Noble before Dartford drew level. Matt Fish brought down Ellis Brown and Hayes sent Girling the wrong way.

Ibrahim’s game then ended in unfortunate circumstances. Hatton’s free kick was missed by all and the Darts’ goalkeeper claimed low at the second attempt. Seeing the loose ball Rickie Hayles made a challenge and caught Ibrahim in the neck.

Ronnie Vint decided it would be a good time to shove his fellow number five. After a long wait, the referee allowed the Dartford physio on and eventually a stretcher. At the end of it all, Tony Coxall replaced Ibrahim and Hayles and Vint were booked.

Ali Fuseini fired over for Welling then Coxall was called into the action for the first time when coming out and blocking as Crawford burst through.

Three minutes after the break, the Darts went ahead. Hayes was again involved with a free kick that Keaton Wood headed home from close range.

Hayes tried his luck from out wide but Girling claimed comfortably.

Already on a yellow card, Vint tried the referee’s luck when kicking the ball away after his side had conceded a free kick but he escaped with a stern lecture.

Fuseini missed a great chance when heading a Hatton free kick across the face of goal.

As time elapsed, a Hatton shot was blocked out to Matt Fish and his shot hit the Wood on the back and looped over Coxall.

There was still time for more drama. Tom Winter brought down Christian Nanetti in the penalty area but Hatton skied the spot kick into Danson Park with seconds remaining.

With no extra time in the Kent Senior Cup, it went straight to penalties. Hatton, Fish, George Oakley and Nanetti were successful for the Wings but only Andy Pugh converted for Dartford as Girling saved from Hayes and Alex Brown.

After the match, Dartford manager Tony Burman expressed his disappointment. “If you don’t increase your lead you sometimes get punished and it was a deflected goal that’s gone in at the end of it. The game was fairly even first half but second half, I thought we was by far the better team and should have put the game to bed.”

Unsurprisingly, Jamie Day, Welling’s Head Coach, was much happier. “We’ve been getting into a rut of getting beat and for us it’s a win and hopefully momentum to take into the weekend. I’m pleased that we’ve come back from being 2-1 down. Shows a little bit of character and we’ve got to do that from now until the end of the season.”

 

Welling United: Girling, Fish, Brown, Fuseini, Hayles, Bray, Joseph-Dubois (Jackson 71), Hatton, Nanetti, Crawford (Oakley 58), Walker (Johnson 58).

Unused Substitutes: Waldren, Agu.

 

Dartford: Ibrahim (Coxall 41), Dembele, Wynter, Bonner, Vint, Wood, Hayes, Noble (Brown A 76), Francis (Pugh 76), Brown E, Wanadio.

Unused substitutes: Harris, Gardiner.

 

Referee: Aji Ajibola

Assistants: D. Daruch and M. Marsh

 

Attendance: 252

 

Man of the match: Ryan Hayes

 

Welling United 2 (2) Dartford 2 (2)

Welling won 4-1 on penalties

 

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.