It took penalties to separate Welling United and Taunton Town with the Wings progressing in the FA Trophy.

Having twice held the lead, Danny Bloor’s Welling team had to go through the stress of a shoot-out to prevail at the J. Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium. 

Austen Booth had the first opportunity for the visitors when his header hit the angle of bar and post from a corner before Welling had their first opportunity when Dan Lavercombe could only beat out a Crossley Lema shot as far as Josh Chambers but it came out at an awkward height and he could only hook it wide.

Dylan Morgan hit a long shot that lacked the power to beat Javarn Pitterson before he had to work a bit harder to save a Ross Stearn free kick at the second opportunity.

Kain Adom hit a low drive that took a slight deflection but Lavercombe got down well to save then, at the other end, Morgan miss-hit a shot and it fell kindly for Zac Smith who should have done better than side-footing well off target.

Just over a minute remained in the first half when Welling went ahead. Adom found space outside the penalty area when it bounced off Booth into his path and he hit a screamer that gave the Peacocks’ goalkeeper no chance. 

Seconds after the restart, Jay Foulston hit a shot wide of the far post before Taunton levelled seven minutes in. A scramble in the six yard box ended with Pitterson trying to clear however, Ollie Chamberlain got between the goalkeeper and the ball and took a kick on the leg. A penalty was awarded and Stearn converted from the spot.

More uncertain Welling defending presented Smith with another opportunity to shoot but he again failed to hit the target, Chambers then had a half chance for Welling that was blocked wide.

Taylor Curran did well to turn a difficult low cross before Stearn made a mess of being sent clean through when the assistant referee failed to flag for offside against Nick McCootie who, despite not attempting to play the ball, was clearly interfering with play.

Rob Howard, on his return to the club, had a shot that Lavercombe saved comfortably before Pitterson had to work harder to make a good save Malachi Linton.

Five minutes remained when the Wings restored their lead. Lema burst into the penalty area and was brought down by a rash challenge. Tristan Abrahams stepped up and fired home confidently.

However, Welling were unable to close out the match and Taunton again equalised with a minute remaining. Another goalmouth scramble ended with Linton swivelling in the six yard box and turning it home.

In the six minutes of injury time, Welling struggled to keep Taunton at bay. Stearn drew a great save out of Pitterson then Chamberlain arrived late at the far post but was unable to get the touch that would have forced it home. Pitterson blocked a shot by Linton and Lewis White was on hand to clear before one more chance came and went when Morgan shot wide from distance.

Shortly after, referee Nicholas Dunn blew his whistle to end open play and the teams prepared for penalties. Taunton went first and neither side missed to make it four apiece. Both teams failed to score their fifth before each side converted penalties six, seven and eight. Pitterson then went the right way to save from Booth leaving Howard to step up to win it, and he made no mistake.

As a reward for winning, Welling will again be at home in the third round when they entertain Brackley.

Welling United: Pitterson, Lema, Green (Howard 48), Kassarate, Curran, Byrd, Tanga (White 82), Odusanya, Abrahams, Chambers (Muwonge 74), Adom.

Subs not used: Jones, Sekajja, White, Papadopoulos, Kamara.

Goalscorers: Adom (43), Abrahams pen (85)

Yellow card: Howard

Taunton Town: Lavercombe, Smith, Foulston, Morgan, Ball, Booth, Chamberlain, Stearn, Jarvis (Linton 67), McCootie, Guest.

Subs not used: Irish, James.

Goalscorers: Stearn pen (52), Linton (89)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Nicholas Dunn

Assistants: James Hall and Reece Pinchback

Attendance: 258

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.