There was late drama in the DFDS Kent Senior Cup semi final when Welling United beat Dover Athletic on penalties.

It looked as though Eniye Amgbaduba’s first half goal for the visitors was going to be enough to see them through to the final until Riccardo Di Trolio levelled with almost the last kick of the game. Then, Welling won the shoot-out five-four.

In the early stages the teams sparred for openings without creating much before Harvey Walker came close with a free kick that flew just over. 

Former Wing, Alfie Matthews then had Dover’s first shot on target with a low drive which Rhys Lovett kept out well with a diving save. Soon after, the Whites went ahead. Lovett was left exposed by a back pass and his hurried hack out struck Amgbaduba and rolled into the empty net.

Francis Mampolo came close to making it two when a low cross found its way through to the far side and he fired just over before Welling created a half chance just before half time. Martell Taylor-Crossdale whipped in a centre and Dover goalkeeper Claudio Boakye-Sarfo did well to smother at the feet of Sahid Kamara.

After the restart, Welling put together a good move that gave Walker the chance to pick out Kamara but he screwed his shot wide. However, Lovett again came to the Wings’ rescue when Dover had a three on two break. George Wilkinson played in Conrad Lucan but the goalkeeper stood up and made himself large before making the block.

Gene Kennedy, who’d come on as a substitute at half time, shot just wide after making space for himself then Wilkinson hooked over at the other end after Max Fiddes’ shot was blocked.

Baokye-Sarfo made an excellent save, tipping over Josh Redfearn’s header from another excellent Walker cross before Lucan lofted over for the visitors after Lovett blocked at close range from Roman Charles-Cook.

Although a minimum of seven minutes of stoppage time were signalled, two slowly executed substitutions, an injury requiring treatment, and three yellow cards, one of which was for time wasting, meant that eleven were played.

Finn Ballard-McBride was just unable to head home Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s centre before Di Trolio’s last gasp leveller. Walker slung over a free kick, and it fell to the Welling defender whose shot flew through a sea of legs before nestling into the bottom corner.

Lovett saved the first penalty, taken by Charles-Cook, then Kennedy shot wide. Matthews, Wilkinson, Ruben Soares Junior, and Roland Onu all converted for Dover and Redfearn, Walker, Dan Quick and Ballard-McBride did likewise for the Wings.

In the first kick of sudden death, Jacob Mensah’s effort clattered the bar leaving Taylor-Crossdale with the opportunity to win it for the hosts. Although he had missed one in a match earlier in the season, he showed no signs of nervousness and side-footed it calmly into the back of the net. 

Now, the Wings have to wait for the outcome of the other semi-final between Ebbsfleet United and Tonbridge Angels before a date and venue is set for the final.

Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Di Trolio, Cornish (Ballard-McBride 72), Quick, Burchell, Kamara (Redfearn 53), Kelly (Kennedy 46), Taylor-Crossdale, Z. Walker (Grant 63), H. Walker.

Sub not used: Poole.

Goal scorers: Di Trolio (90+11)

Yellow cards: Ballard-McBride (90+8)

Dover Athletic: Boakye-Sarfo, T. Amgbaduba, Charles-Cook, Mensah, Gyebi, Matthews, Lucan (McCarthy 90+10), Wilkinson, E. Amgbaduba (Soares Junior 70), Mampolo (Onu 90+7), Fiddes (Tennent 89).

Sub not used: Gillmore.

Goal scorer:  E. Amgbaduba.

Yellow cards: Gyebi (64 foul), Wilkinson 82 foul), Matthews (90 foul), Boakye-Sarfo (90+3 time wasting).

Referee: Michael Butcher

Assistants: Stuart Beadle and Jordan Rant

Fourth Official: Mark Fitzpatrick

Attendance: 298

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.