Welling United’s U18s saw their FA Youth Cup journey come to an end on Thursday evening at the hands of Corinthian Casuals at Park View Road. 

A single second-half goal would prove to be the difference on what was a spicy affair under the lights as two good sides went at each other’s throats for 90 minutes. 

A fiery first half saw little to separate the sides, with plenty of tackles flying in and chances at either end. 

The visitors struck the woodwork on two occasions in the first 45 – first through Demmy Nicolau, whose free-kick came back off the right-hand corner of the post and crossbar, while Emarjay Campbell-Jones broke free to bounce an effort off the left-hand upright. 

There was a golden opportunity for Casuals forward Adrian Ferreira-Francisco who found himself one-on-one, but opted to try and scoop the ball over the on-rushing keeper, resulting in the ball dipping over the bar. 

At the other end, a quick breakaway saw the Wings find themselves in a three-on-one situation with jus the keeper to beat. Deandre Williams eventually put the ball in the net, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag. 

Welling spurned a good chance early in the second half when Antonio Morgan forced Reginald Rose into a good stop from eight yards as the mile-a-minute nature of the game continued into the second period. 

It was the visitors who took the lead on 52 minutes with a goal seemingly out of nowhere. With few options available, Campbell-Jones struck a firm shot from the edge of the box which found the bottom right-hand corner. 

Callum Ellington forced Rose into action again five minutes later when his good-looking effort from just outside the box was kept out by the stopper, while Wings stopper Archie Aldous pulled off a brilliant save at the other end, keeping out a point-blank shot with three yellow shirts lined up. 

Welling continued to plug away for an equaliser as legs began to tire. As the clock ticked over into 90, substitute Ogusha Williams got into the box on the left, but could only fire over from a tight angle as hope began to fade. 

And so, history proved to repeat itself, with Corinthian Casuals holding out for victory against the Wings at the same stage of the competition for the second year running, bringing Welling’s proud efforts in the Youth Cup to an end. 

Welling United U18s: Aldous, Henry, Church (Connell 85), Macaulay, Abodunrin, D Williams, Ellington, Gumbrell (Hernandez 63), Morgan (O Williams 69), Kamara, Godziemnski. 

Subs (not used): Smith, King, Ogunrinde, Ward. 

Booked: Henry 49 (foul)