Experience prevailed over exuberance as Welling United defeated a youthful Bromley team in their London Senior Cup Third Round tie.

Although by no means made up of old players, and with only four starters from their last league game, all of the Welling side have represented the first team at some point this season whilst the visitors eleven was a mixture of under nineteens and under twenty-ones. 

Early on, Maxwell Statham put in a great low cross for Finn Ballard-McBride whose close range shot that flew over. James Batt, the Bromley goalkeeper, who looked a real prospect for the club then produced the first of a string of stunning saves with a brilliant block to thwart Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s falling volley after he had got on the end of Sahid Kamara’s flicked on cross.

However, it was Bromley who gained the early advantage when George Evans turned his man and shot towards the far post. Although Rhys Lovett got down well to make the save it came out to Danai Hassain who made no mistake from close range.

Ballard-McBride then created an opening for TJ Bramble whose low cross was well cut out by Batt before Antonio Morgan had a shot for Bromley that flew high over the bar and into Danson Park.

Kamara went on a great run for the Wings and had a shot blocked just wide but visitors’ escape was short lived when Welling drew level. The corner fell for Ballard McBride whose shot was blocked on the line and it came out to Jack Burchell who fired home.

Josh Redfearn then used his strength to allow him to hold off his man and lay it off to Kamara whose shot flew wide before the Ravens had the last chance of the first half when George Penn’s low drive was off target.

In the fourth minute after the break, Welling went ahead. Kamara twisted and turned in the penalty area causing Morgan to trip him. Taylor-Crossdale stepped up and sent Batt the wrong way from the spot.

Kamara had a low shot pushed round the post by Batt, then Redfearn glanced a header wide from Statham’s cross. Welling continued to press and a cross by Sam Cornish was flicked on but it was just out of the reach of Taylor-Crossdale and he was unable to finish at the far post.

Both managers made changes, but the Wings continued to enjoy the better of the openings despite playing up the slope. Redfearn cut out a Bromley clearance and burst through only to fire over. Kamara then tricked his way through before hitting a low shot that drew an outstanding stop from Batt. Sadly for Welling, nobody was on hand to follow-up.

Batt continued his virtuoso performance with a wonder save when tipping Kamara’s shot onto the crossbar then Cameron Andrews crossed deep to Taylor-Crossdale who knocked it back to Redfearn who was unable to apply the final touch.

Andrews shot over having been sent through by Kamara before the hosts saw out the game without alarm. 

They will now host Brentford B in the quarter finals with the victors entertaining Barking in the semis.

Welling United: Lovett, Statham, H. Walker, Cornish, Winfield, Burchell (Di Trolio 79), Kamara (Quick 84), Bramble, Redfearn, Ballard-McBride (Andrews 64), Taylor-Crossdale.

Subs not used: Poole, Kelly.

Goalscorers: Burchell (40), Taylor-Crossdale pen (49)

Yellow cards: None

Bromley: Batt, Fletcher, Morgan, Hilden, Paye, Cave, Penn (Kelmendi 64), Hassain (Deh 75), Evans, Corbin (Hobbs 64), Aris.

Sub not used: Patten.

Goalscorer: Hassain (18)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Morgan Conn

Assistants: Joshua Reid and Oliver Storey

Attendance: 186

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.