On Sunday, Welling United returned from their F.A. Cup travels to Grays Athletic with a draw keeping their hopes of a run in the tournament alive.

When they went behind with just over fifteen minutes to go, an early exit looked on the cards but Sam Corne’s equaliser eight minutes later kept them alive and able to fight again another day.

Mark Bentley’s team probably feel a little miffed having not be able to hold on and will go to Park View Road with the belief that they can finish the job off.

However, Loui Fazakerley and his management team know that their charges are capable of playing much better, as they will need to if they are to progress into the first round.

There have been some memorable midweek games at Park View Road and Welling have a very good record in home floodlit games in recent years. They will look to draw on those experiences and to play the football of which they are capable.

Once again, they may be without Harry Osborne and George Porter (injured), Tom King, Harry Lee and Sandro Semedo (permission to play denied by their parent clubs), Nortei Nortey and Kojo Awotwi (cup tied) plus Tashan Adeyinka and Joey Taylor (out on loan). Zac Fagan made a welcome return off the substitutes’ bench and will be pushing for a starting place in the replay.

For most of the game at Aveley the Wings struggled and Welling’s Michael McEntegart was the busier of the two goalkeepers. Alex Addai’s 75^th minute goal looked like it would be sufficient for the Blues until Corne’s intervention seven minutes from time.

Whoever prevails in the replay will have to travel in the first round, either to Barwell or AFC Rushden and Diamonds who drew 2-2 on Saturday.

That will not be in the thoughts of either manager, though. All that matters in the immediate future is the replay.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.