It was another disappointing afternoon for Welling United when they were knocked out of the F.A. Trophy at home to Havant and Waterlooville.

Despite enjoying nearly all of the possession for the first twenty-five minutes, Welling created little. Sam Cornish delivered a free kick to the far post and Anointed Chukwu headed it back across goal but the Hawks’ goalkeeper, Ben Dudzinski, claimed unchallenged. Chukwu then did well to head down to Elliot Long who laid it off to Gene Kennedy. He struck his shot sweetly, but too straight, and Dudzinski held on well.

Ryan Seagar hit a first time snapshot for the Hawks that went well wide and Welling still seemed well in control before the visitors went ahead. A long cross-field pass sent Keane Anderson through. Daniel Jinadu did well to keep out his shot but was powerless to stop Callum Kealy from netting from the rebound.

Leon Maloney fired in a cross-shot that was just too high for Anderson who could only direct his header wide before a low shot by Long was saved at the near post. Just before half time, Jinadu made a double save from Brendan Willson’s header and Kealy’s follow up.

After the half time break Leon Maloney shot well wide for the visitors before Welling’s captain Garrett Kelly hit a good strike that Dudzinski held well. Anderson fired across the face of goal just out of the reach of Kealy then the Hawks worked a training ground move to send Willson through but Jinadu read the danger well and smothered at his feet.

Chukwu shot well over from long range for the Wings before Havant scored their second. Harry Sidwell’s low shot didn’t appear to pose too much danger, however, Jinadu went down to save but somehow failed to keep it out.

Dudzinski then made a stunning save to divert Kelly’s shot onto the post after Paul Osew did well to pull it back then Josh Redfearn brought a long pass down and attempted a first time lob that went over.

Kealy had a low shot saved by Jinadu before Welling again came close when Kelly chipped to the Chukwu at the far post and his header was blocked off the line by Willson.

Seven minutes remained when Alex Lankshear headed home after Dudzinski could only palm out a cross. Welling upped the tempo and the Havant goalkeeper did well to smother from Chukwu before he pulled off a wonder save deep into stoppage time with the Wings’ striker again being thwarted.

On Tuesday evening, Welling will be back in Vanarama National League South action when they host Weymouth looking to end their poor run.

Welling United: Jinadu, Donkor (Osew 52), Johnson, Statham, Burchell, Lankshear, Kennedy (Redfearn 46), Cornish, Chukwu, Long (Walker 61 (Grant 80)), Kelly. Sub not used: Perkins.

Goalscorers: Lankshear (83)

Yellow cards: Kelly, Osew

Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski, Stanley, Laidlaw, Sidwell, Austin, Wilson, Anderson, Atangana, Seager, Kealy, Maloney. Subs not used: Walker-Harris, Aston, Swann, Tshaka, Dockerill.

Goalscorers: Kealy (27), Sidwell (68)

Yellow cards: Willson, Anderson, Dudzinski, Kealy, Stanley

Referee: Nathan Oakes

Assistant Referees: Bogdan Khimych and Charlie Roberts

Fourth Official: Abdul Olol

Attendance: 540

Images courtesy of Dave Budden