Just as they had done in the second round, Welling United needed to win a penalty shoot out to progress in the F.A. Trophy, this time at the expense of Brackley Town.

Their visitors are in fourth place in the Vanarama National League North so Welling knew they were in for a tough challenge and it certainly appeared that way in the early stages.

In just the fourth minute, the Saints went ahead. Tommy O’Sullivan picked out Alex Gudger with a corner, he headed it down and Dom McHale flicked it home.

In amongst a flurry of Brackley corners, Kain Adom went on a break for Welling and had a shot from twenty five yards that was too straight before the Saints created another chance. Morgan Roberts picked out Riccardo Calder at the far post and he looked sure to score until Ike Orji made a crucial block.

After a difficult opening twenty minutes, Welling started to come into the game. Josh Chambers burst through and hit a low shot wide, and Adom was off target with another effort. Jephte Tanga then hit a shot that drew a good save out of Danny Lewis.

McHale created another opportunity for the visitors when he pulled it back for Tyler Little but he shot straight at Welling goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook 

Tanga then had another chance for Welling. His initial shot was blocked by Zak Lilly and came back out to him. He then made space for him with skilful close control before unleashing a shot that brought another excellent save out of Lewis.

As the first half moved into stoppage time, a foul by Gareth Dean earned him a yellow card and further punishment of a free kick to Welling, and the Wings made it count. Tristan Abrahams sized up his options before blasting it high inside the post.

Early in the second half Chambers fired another free kick over before Anthony Grant caught a defender in possession and burst into the penalty area but couldn’t keep his shot down.

Further hesitant defending by Brackley was almost punished to the full when Abrahams nicked it away and Lewis made an excellent block. It flew up and Tanga rose to head home, however his joy was short lived when he saw the assistant referee flagging for offside.

Chambers had a header saved then the Saints had a chance when Little blasted over after Jake Jervis had knocked it down. In Brackley’s next attack Little shot wide before creating an opportunity across the face of goal but nobody stuck out a foot to steer it home.

That was the last of Brackley as an attacking force as Welling finished the stronger. Chambers got clear but got caught in two minds and neither crossed nor shot and it rolled wide of the far post. 

Adom shot straight at Lewis then Chambers burst through and drew an excellent save out of Lewis who turned it over. From the corner Lachlan Byrd rose highest and his header struck a relieved Lewis.

Brackley were reduced to ten men in stoppage time when substitute Layton Love was shown a second yellow card, both of which were for elbowing TJ Bramble.

There was no time for Welling to take advantage of the extra man and the tie went to penalties. Dominic Odusanya put Welling’s first one wide before Roberts gave the visitors an early advantage.

Abrahams converted confidently then Dan Turner hit the post. Adom and Tanga converted for the Wings and Lilly and Gudger did likewise for Brackley and it was all even after four apiece.

Cameron Green netted Welling’s fifth before Shep Murombedzi’s effort struck the post.

Danny Bloor’s team now have a free week before they entertain Eastbourne Borough in the Vanarama National League South next Saturday.

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Orji, Green, Grant, Bramble, Byrd, Tanga, Odusanya, Abrahams, Chambers, Adom.

Subs not used: Winterbottom, Sekajja, Papadopoulos, Howard, Kassarate, Kamara, Muwonge.

Goalscorers: Abrahams (45+1)

Yellow card: Grant

Brackley Town: Lewis, Little, Calder, Murombedzi, Gudger, Dean, Lilley, Jervis (Love 78), Roberts, McHale (Turner 81), O’Sullivan.

Subs not used: Worby, Matwasa, Bates, Armson.

Goalscorers: McHale (4)

Yellow cards: Jervis, Dean, Murombedzi, Love

Red card: Love

Referee: Emily Heaslop

Assistants: Joseph Dann-Pye and Deryll David

Attendance: 318

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.