Substitutes Anthony Cook and Moses Emmanuel helped Welling United record a ‘come from behind’ F.A. Trophy victory over St Albans City.

Zane Banton put the visitors ahead early on but goals from Danny Waldren and Emmanuel within two minutes of each other put Welling ahead. Although Waldren was dismissed, Cook added a third with six minutes remaining.

Neither Cook nor Emmanuel were fully fit and Mark Goldberg had hoped to rest them both but had no option following a disappointing first half.

It started brightly for Welling and Bradley Goldberg drew the first save out of Dean Snedker in the early minutes. Snedker then made an outstanding save from Nathan Green who got on the end of a deep Montel Agyemang corner.

Snedker made another save from Green before Welling survived a goalmouth scramble. However, they did not escape for much longer. A long ball forward sent Sam Merson away and although Dan Wilks did well to beat out his initial shot, it came back out to him and he squared for Banton. He showed great composure to set himself up for an unmissable chance and he slotted home gleefully. 

Merson got onto the end of a Tom Bender cross but headed over before Rob Swaine brought another save out of Snedker when he got on the end of Joe Anderson’s free kick.

Soloman Nwabuokei got in well but shot straight at Wilks before the Saints came close again on the stroke of half time. Ollie Sprague’s free kick was flicked goalwards by Merson but it flew back off the crossbar.

At the break, Welling made the double change and it almost paid immediate dividends when Cook’s free kick found Waldren but he headed wide.

Another good chance was missed by Merson when sent clear but he shot beyond the far post before Welling were forced to make their final substitution with another half fit player, Ejiro Okosieme, replacing Swaine.

Just shy of the hour mark, the game was turned on its head. Cook delivered a corner that found its way to Emmanuel. His shot was blocked by Snedker but fell to Waldren and he bundled home from close range.

Before St Albans had a chance to recover, they went behind. Cook went on a good run down the right wing and angled a low cross towards the far post and Emmanuel met it with a good finish to mark his second Welling debut with a goal.

Munashe Sundire, on-loan from Hemel Hempstead Town, was lucky to escape a caution for a nasty challenge on Waldren but when he again fouled the Welling man a minute later, he was shown a yellow card.

Emmanuel’s drive was saved by Snedker before Welling were reduced to ten when a robust challenge by Waldren left Nwabuokei in a heap. The Welling man was shown a straight red card and the Saint had to be helped off the pitch and substituted.

Despite being a man light, Welling scored again with six minutes remaining. Everyone expected Cook to aim his free kick towards Okosieme at the far post but Cook noticed that Snedker was too far across and he executed his free kick perfectly when putting it just inside the near post.

Substitute Joe Iaciofano had a chance when sent through but Wilks made a good save with his boot then deep into injury time a defensive mix-up left Wilks stranded but Iaciofano’s chip floated over.

Welling now enter the draw for the first round on Monday and will be hoping for another home draw.

Welling United: Wilks, Dymond, Anderson, Waldren, Swaine (Okosieme 48), Rich-Baghuelou, Cosgrave (Cook 46), Agyemang, Goldberg, Widdrington, Green (Emmanuel 46).

Subs not used: Prall, Johnson, Burstow, Atkins.

Goalscorers: Waldren (59), Emmanuel (60), Cook (84)

Yellow cards: Widdrington

Red cards: Waldren

St Albans City: Snedker, Fielding, Bender, Noble, Longe-King, Musonda, Sundire, Banton, Nwabuokei (Kaloczi 81), Sprague (Adu 76), Merson (Iaciofano 72).

Subs not used: Shulton, Brewer, Diedhiou, Oyinsan.

Goalscorers: Banton (19)

Yellow cards: Fielding, Noble, Sundire, Banton

Red cards: None

Referee: Aji Ajibola

Assistants: Lawrence Torz-Brown and James Hurst

Attendance: 337

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.