Although neither Welling United nor holders Maidstone United put out full strength teams in their Kent Senior Cup tie it was still a competitive encounter.
Both managers took the opportunity to give some game time to players who had been lacking minutes in recent times. It also gave those involved a chance to show that they should be given regular first team action.
Charlie Pegrum had the first attempt for the hosts when shooting wide then Mitchel Bergkamp had a low shot saved by Maidstone’s goalkeeper Lenny Holden. Shaquile Coulthirst had an effort for the Stones with a bullet header that flashed wide from Riley Court’s cross.
Tyler Hatton shot wide for Maidstone before they went ahead just before the half hour mark. While Welling were quibbling over a throw in that was awarded the wrong way, Coulthirst burst forward and bought a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Court stepped up and saw a space between the defensive wall and near post, and struck it under the despairing Javarn Pitterson.
TJ Bramble hit a first time shot wide before the referee ended a fairly quiet first half.
After the interval, Coulthirst had a powerful drive blocked by Maxwell Statham before Welling levelled five minutes into the period. Harry Lodovica lost possession in midfield and it was fed out to Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
He timed his pass perfectly to send Pegrum away. Although Holden did well to keep his low drive out, Bergkamp was on hand to tuck home the rebound.
Nine minutes later, Welling went ahead. Sam Smith attempted a back pass but Zain Walker read it and intercepted it before rounding Holden and placing it into the empty net. That was Walker’s last touch in an impressive return after injury, as he was replaced by Elliot Long.
Long was in action immediately when he got in behind the Stones’ back line and shot towards the far post however Holden made a brilliant save. Soon after, he made another fine stop to keep out a flick by Taylor-Crossdale.
Once again, Long proved a handful for the Stones’ defence when he twisted his way through before unleashing another fierce drive that was kept out by an excellent save from Holden. Bergkamp then went on a strong run and went for the unselfish option of squaring to Anointed Chukwu but Welling’s leading scorer skied it over from five yards.
That could have proved costly with five minutes remaining when Coulthirst got clear. He chose not to shoot first time allowing Pitterson to close down the angle and the Welling goalkeeper atoned for his earlier misjudgement when making a great save.
Pitterson was again called into action when holding on well when Court attempted a near post shot even though it looked like it was going wide.
Six minutes of stoppage time were added but Welling looked the more likely to score again. Pegrum had a shot deflected wide before Anthony Grant fooled the defence into thinking that he was going to take it to the corner flag but instead cut in and toe-poked it inches past the far post.
There was no time for a restart and it was Welling who progressed to the Quarter Finals and a visit to Phoenix Sports.
Welling United: Pitterson, Donkor (Johnson 71), Osew, Kelly (Wells 73), Burchell, Statham, Walker (Long 60), Bramble (Grant 87), Taylor-Crossdale (Chukwu 78), Bergkamp, Pegrum.
Subs not used: None.
Goalscorers: Bergkamp (50), Walker (59)
Yellow card: Kelly
Maidstone United: Holden, Hatton, Court, Rye (Pougoue 70), Gibson, Smith, Clark (Trusty 83), Coulthirst, Lodovica (Benton 70), Fonkeu (Page 78), Gurung.
Sub not used: Swift.
Goalscorer: Court (28)
Yellow cards: None
Referee: Daniel Blades
Assistants: Daniel Doyle and James Black
Fourth Official: Teddy Osborn
Attendance: 341
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.