Following their late equaliser in the first game, Welling United entertained Grays Athletic at Park View Road in an F.A. Cup 4th qualifying round replay.
Any thoughts that this might be another tight encounter were dispelled by a virtuoso performance by Xavier Vidal. His four goal salvo ensured Welling progress to the first round where they will visit Barwell.
An edgy first 20 minutes passed before an injury to Sahr Kabba meant he had to be replaced with Michael Bakare coming on for his second Welling home debut.
Two minutes later, the hosts went ahead. Ricky Wellard’s perfect pass sent Xavier Vidal galloping into the box. Although Lamar Joseph-Johnson beat out his initial shot, he made no mistake when following up before wheeling away towards the supporters behind the goal.
Sean Cronin might have levelled when heading over from the corner and Dumebi GB-Dumaka was a real handful but Grays created few clear cut chances before Welling finished the half strongly.
Bakare came close just after the break but Lamar Joseph-Johnson saved well with his feet.
Moments later, Welling almost paid for it when Roman Michael-Percil won the visitors a penalty.
Michael McEntegart read Sean Cronin’s spot kick and made a great save low to his right. Cronin moved in for the follow up but Ben Jefford got back quickly and made a brave block.
That proved crucial as two minutes later, Welling scored the vital second goal. Bakare was the architect getting to the bye-line before crossing for Vidal to power a header home from close range.
They combined again six minutes later when Bakare squared and Vidal fired home from the edge of the box.
To their credit, Grays didn’t give up and McEntegart was called upon to make another good save from Harry Agombar before Jay Leader powered the resulting corner over the bar.
By now it seemed that Michael Chambers and Kevin Lokko had got to grips with GB-Dumaka, blunting Grays’ main threat.
Bakare and Barney Williams drew saves out of Joseph-Johnson before Vidal added his fourth.
Careless, possibly tired, defending saw a sloppy ball out find Vidal and he fired low into the bottom corner.
There was to be no comeback and Kurtis Cumberbatch might have added a fifth in stoppage time but was just off target.
After the match, a delighted Loui Fazakerley said “Just very pleased to get through. It was always going to be a tough game. They were always going to raise their game and they did that, especially in the first game and it was just a matter of us having to be patient.”
Coach Paul Barnes was happy to get beyond a good Grays team. “I thought there were spells tonight when they exceeded our expectations. They set up pretty well, looked very organised and looked to hit us on the counter, but credit to our lads for the way they went about it. They came back and showed good character.”
Now, after three cup ties, it’s back to league football with a visit to Guiseley on Saturday.
Welling United: McEntegart, Williams, Jefford (Obafemi 79), Fagan (Cumberbatch 82), Chambers, Lokko, Vidal, Corne, Kabba (Bakare 20), Wellard, Harris.
Unused substitutes: Cotterill, Fitchett, Johnson, Gunner.
Grays Athletic: Joseph-Johnson, Ifill, Sivapathasundaran, Cronin, Leader, Bentley (Cummings 46), Michael-Percil (Fortune-Thomlinson 59), Agyemang. GB-Dumba, Agombar (Addai 72), Carlos.
Unused substitutes: Kamurai, Reynolds, Stephens, Little
Referee: Robert Whitton
Assistants: Gregory Read and Neil Morrison
4th Official: Ryan Whittaker
Welling star man: Xavier Vidal
Attendance: 733
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.