Welling United claimed their place in the final of the Kent Senior Cup thanks to late drama and a penalty shootout victory over Dover Athletic at Park View Road on Tuesday evening.
Eniye Amgbaduba’s fortunate first-half goall put the Whites ahead and it looked as if it would be them heading to the final, but a Riccardo Di Trolio equaliser in deep, deep injury time ensured the tie would be decided on penalties, with the Wings winning through 5-4 from spot-kicks.
A tough first half saw the hosts fall behind after 34 minutes – and it was somewhat of a freak goal, gifted by stopper Rhys Lovett.
His attempted kick out was charged down by Amgbaduba, with the ball bouncing back off the big Dover striker and settling in the net.
Meanwhile, Welling’s only real sight of goal in the first half came via a free-kick, with Harvey Walker dipping his effort just over the bar from 20 yards.
The Wings were vastly improved when they emerged for the second half and applied plenty of pressure as they went in search of an equaliser, but that killer opportunity continued to prove elusive.
Indeed, they left themselves exposed as Dover staged a quick counter-attack with Francis Mompolo getting into the box one-on-one, only to be denied by an excellent Lovett save, who stood up strong.
With 15 minutes remaining, Josh Redfearn saw a header tipped over by a good save, but it seemed that it would the closest the home side would come as they just could not turn their possession into a goal.
Dover’s ‘gamesmanship’ ensured that there would be a very healthy amount of injury time and Welling took advantage, pouncing in the 11th minute of time added on.
A free-kick from the left dropped to Di Trolio who guided the ball into the bottom corner, forcing the game to penalties in dramatic fashion.
Both sides missed their first, with Roman Charles-Cook seeing his penalty saved, before Gene Kennedy put Welling’s opener wide.
The next four were all put away, forcing the shootout into sudden death and when Mensah crashed his effort against the bar, it was up to Martell Taylor-Crossdale to be the hero. Indeed, he made no mistake, dispatching his penalty to send his side into the final.
Welling now have a showpiece final to look forward to which is set to take place at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, with either Ebbsfleet United or Tonbridge Angels lying in wait for a right to lift the trophy.
Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Quick, Burchell, Di Trolio, H Walker, Cornish (Ballard-McBride 72), Kelly (Kennedy 46), Kamara (Redfearn 53), Z Walker (Grant 63), Taylor-Crossdale.
Subs (not used): Poole.
Booked: Ballard-McBride 90+8 (foul)
Goal: Di Trolio 90+11
Dover Athletic: Boakye-Sarfo, T Amgbaduba, Charles-Cook, Mensah, Gyebi, Matthews, Lucan (McCarthy 90+10), Wilkinson, E Amgbaduba (Soares-Junior70), Mampolo (Onu 90+7), Fiddes (Tennent 89).
Subs (not used): Gillmore.
Booked: Gyebi 64 (foul on H Walker), Wilkinson 82 (foul), Matthews 90 (foul), Boakye-Sarfo 90+3 (time wasting)
Goal: T Amgbaduba 34
Referee: Michael Butcher
Att: 298
