Welling United bowed out of the Kent Senior Cup at the semi-final stage with defeat to Chatham Town at the Bauvill Stadium on Tuesday evening.
A goal either side of half-time was enough to seal the hosts a date with Margate in next month’s final, while the Wings were left to rue a number of missed chances, as well as hitting the woodwork on two occasions.
The home side made a perfect start to the evening, going ahead in some style via Jack Evans’ free-kick.
The Chats’ skipper stood over the ball 22 yards from goal and smashed his set-piece straight into the net to give the recently-crowned Isthmian South East champions the lead.
In response, the Wings came close through Kyrell Lisbie, who volleyed just wide following a smart ball over the top, while Medy Elito sent a good-looking, angled effort inches wide from the edge of the box.
And five minutes before the break, the visitors came closer still when Manny Parry smashed a cracking effort off the left-hand upright from distance.
The Wings had been knocking on the door, although Chatham began to frustrate after the break as they defended their narrow advantage astutely.
Welling hit the woodwork for a second time when Dean Beckwith headed against his own bar after Elito’s free-kick delivery caused havoc, but the hosts would put the game to bed shortly after, adding a second with 17 minutes remaining.
Evans raced onto a long ball over the top and beat the advancing McKenzie-Lyle to it, lobbing the ball over the keeper who could only watch as it bounced into the net, putting an end to the Wings’ cup hopes for another season.
Chatham Town: Harvey, Orji, Robins, Butler, Beckwith, Lock, Evans, Oloyede (Bradshaw 76), Taylor, Peck (Saraiva 63), Sanogo (Drury 86).
Subs (not used): Bridle-Card, Cooper.
Booked: Peck 58 (foul), Bradshaw 90+1 (foul)
Goals: Evans 7, 73
Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle, Cox, Parry (Church 58), Sendles-White, Ezennolim, Kassarate, Elito, Lisbie (Andrews 68), Nkrumah, Payne, Gavin (Papadopoulos 56).
Subs (not used): Vendrells-Parcerisa, Kane.
Booked: Payne 8 (foul on Harvey), Kassarate 82 (foul), Church 85 (foul on Lock)
Referee: Simon Finnigan
Att: 411