Welling United held off a spirited Bridon Ropes fight back to win the Kent FA Under 15s Cup on Sunday.
They did it for their injured skipper Tommy Newman who injured himself pre match, and seemed destined to wreck the Wings day.
After Max Churrell’s penalty had cancelled out Oliver Milton’s opening strike, it was left to Joshua Sofowomu to win the game for the Wings and to save the skipper’s day.
Wings boss David Shaw admitted after the game, “Tommy was a huge loss as he’s been pivotal to our season which has been a good one tonight with this win. We had a scare when we got pegged back but in the end Joshua came good for us.”
Welling enjoyed the early exchanges with Ashan Jones central to everything good that the Wings created and Jones himself was denied as Bridon keeper Tommy Taylor raced from his box to clear.
That said, Welling keeper Lewis Collier was relieved that a clearance looped back into his arms after cannoning off of Tupac Irene as the Bridon striker closed him down.
The Welling goal then bore a charmed life as Adam Baldwin first curled a free kick against the bar before Collier and the rest of the Wings defence were at sixes and sevens, with Baldwin stepping in and curling a shot a yard wide.
Welling recovered in the best way they knew – by taking the lead as Oliver Munton raced away from the Ropes defence to score, and send the sizeable Welling contingent wild!
Jones almost doubled the lead as he ghosted through only to curl his shot just too high…
Welling were left to rue the missed chances as just before the break, Bridon levelled as the were awarded a penalty as from a left wing free kick, a Welling hand flicked the ball which was well spotted by referee Cutler.
Up stepped Max Currell and gave Carroll no chance. Alex Pruden then went close to doubling the lead before keeper Carroll made a brave save to deny Chris Giovanoli on the edge of his box.
Half time came at the wrong time for Bridon as it seemed to knock them out of their stride and Welling duly regained the ascendancy and it turn into the lead and a goal straight off of the training ground as Sofowomu powered home a left wing corner.
Bridon upped the tempo again to try and get back into the game, but this time they couldn’t get enough going… Irene played a super ball across the box for Jardell Conteh to attack the ball almost too much dragging his shot wide of the right post.
It really was backs to the walls defending for Welling but Bridon could not find a way through.
Indeed Taylor in the Bridon goal made a great late save to deny Adams a second, and Welling a third, which in the end wasn’t needed wasn’t as the referee’s final whistle sounded.
Naturally enough Bridon coach Billy Thornton (standing in for their holidaying boss James Dewar) was disappointed at the defeat as he spoke to KSN.
“Of course we’re disappointed but I strongly believe that this will prove to be the next stage in their development. We’re happy to have been here and played our part in a good game…”
The day though belonged to Welling United’s under 15s and their injured skipper Tommy Newton – an inspiration indeed to a great team!
BRIDON ROPES – Tommy Taylor, Alex Pruden, Bailey Malone, William Osaguona, Jardell Conteh, Henri Fulton, Jack Perkins, Max Currell, James Ellis, Tupal Rene, Adam Baldwin.
Subs – Jamie Davis, Ryan Fuller, Chris Giovagnoli, Daniel Blunn, Adam Baldwin.
WELLING UNITED – Lewis Collier, Harrison Tay, George Boulton, Aaron Hyde, Thomas Hever, Leon Woolnough, Lucas Hart, Joshua Sofowomu, Ashman Jones, Teddy French, Oliver Martin.
Subs – Max Deva Vale, Alfie Shaw, Emmanuel Bromide, Edidion George, Tommy Newman.
Referee – Simon Cutler
Assistants – Nick Fruin & Callum Wright
Fourth Official – Robin Smit
Pictures supplied by www.psp-images.co.uk