Flying the flag for the Kent F.A. Welling United defeated Leyton Orient to earn themselves in the London Senior Cup semi-final.

It was end to end almost from the word go. The first chance fell to Welling when Jordan Gibbons picked out Jack Barham but his flicked shot was blocked.

Dan Wilks then came to Welling’s rescue when Dale Gorman sent James Alabi away but the Wings’ stopper was out quickly to block with his feet. Gorman then tried his luck with a free kick but Wilks made a comfortable save.

Back at the other end Mekhi McLeod showed quick feet to create an opening for himself but his shot was deflected wide. Then David Ijaha fired in a fierce shot that flew just wide with the O’s goalkeeper at full stretch.

Anthony Acheampong appeared to be bundled over but no free kick was awarded and Ruel Sotiriou almost took advantage but shot directly at Wilks. Gorman then shot across the face of goal with nobody available to finish at the far post.

McLeod had another opening for Welling when Danny Mills’ brilliance created the opening. McLeod’s shot was deflected sending Janata the wrong way but he managed to stick out a leg and block the effort.

Barham spun tightly and hit a shot that was deflected wide and although the corner came to nothing, Thierry Audel stayed forward and brought down Gavin McCallum’s cross well but then shot across the face of goal.

Still only twenty six minutes had passed when Welling went ahead. Montel Agyemang found Mills who played Barham in and he finished superbly, firing into the bottom corner.

Audel then headed straight into the arms of Janata from Agyemang’s free kick as Welling looked to press home their advantage but Orient came back and a low Gorman shot was well claimed by Wilks.

For the last ten minutes of the first half Welling created all the openings. Mills got in ahead of Janata but his shot was cleared off the line by the covering Jayden Sweeney. Then Ijaha had a shot saved before Barham headed over from McLeod’s cross.

After the interval, Gorman hit a skimmer which was well watched by Wilks on the zippy surface before Sotiriou flicked on a cross to Bradley McClenagh but his powerful shot was pushed around the post by Wilks.

Alex Lawless sent Sotiriou through but his powerful drive went wide of the near post.

McCallum created Welling’s next opening and McLeod’s effort was scrambled wide by Janata.

However, Wilks had to make the next save when a strong cross-field run by Alabi enabled him to

find Gorman but Wilks was equal to the busy midfielder’s effort.

McLeod left Myles Judd in his wake and crossed to the near post but Mills could only flick his effort wide. Judd looked more lively at the other end soon after but having created the opening well, his shot had no power.

Barham went on a great run down the wing and crossed. Mills out-jumped Janata but was unable to find the target with his header.

He was not to be denied for much longer though. Agyemang showed tremendous skill and put in a great cross and Mills finished with a good header.

Just as it looked as though Welling were going to enjoy a comfortable closing spell, Orient pulled one back. Ten minutes remained on the clock when McClenagh crossed and Sotiriou forced it home.

Another Agyemang corner picked out Audel but he headed straight at Janata as Welling looked for a third then substitute Brendan Kiernan headed over.

Orient had one last opportunity to force extra time when Sotiriou worked his way through the Welling defence but he was off balance and couldn’t garner sufficient power and Wilks saved comfortably.

Welling’s reward for the victory is a semi-final at Harrow Borough who beat Clapton seven-nil.

Welling United: Wilks, Gibbons, Braham-Barrett, Ijaha (Anau 59), Acheampong, Audel, McCallum, Agyemang, Mills (Goldberg 76), Barham, McLeod (Kiernan 72).

Subs not used: Hill.

Leyton Orient: Janata, Judd, Sweeney, Lawless, Hall (McClenagh 34), Forrest, Swabani, Sotiriou, Alabi, Brophy.

Subs not used: Byrne, Hammoni, Mulqueen

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Barham (26), Mills (74)

Yellow cards: Wilks

Red cards: None

Leyton Orient:

Goalscorers: Sotiriou (80)

Yellow cards: Forrest

Red cards: None

Referee: Michael Begley

Assistants: Emmanuel Makola and Ross Mortimer

Attendance: 186

Welling star man: Montel Agyemang

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.