Welling United go head-to-head with Ebbsfleet United at the Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday evening in the Kent Senior Cup final for the right to lift silverware (7.45pm).
The showpiece final provides a welcome distraction following the disappointment of last weekend’s defeat at Chesham United and provides the opportunity for the Wings to claim the trophy for the fourth time in the club’s history.
Welling’s path to the final has seen them overcome Maidstone United 2-1 at home in the second round, before claiming a 4-3 win at Phoenix Sports in the quarter-finals.
That dramatic last-eight tie set up a semi-final clash with Dover Athletic at Park View Road which ended in dramatic fashion as Riccardo Di Trolio’s equaliser in the 13th minute of injury time forced penalties, with the Wings winning 5-4 on spot-kicks.
Ebbsfleet’s path to the final, meanwhile, has seen them beat Gillingham 3-1 in round two, before squeezing past Bromley on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the quarter-finals.
They then booked their place in Wednesday’s final with a 1-0 semi-final victory over Tonbridge Angels.
Should the game end in a draw after 90 minutes on Wednesday evening, the tie will go straight to a penalty shootout to determine the winners.
THE OPPOSITION
A difficult season has seen Ebbsfleet struggle at the foot of the National League table this season, with relegation confirmed following a 3-3 draw at Aldershot Town on March 22nd.
Danny Searle was relieved of his duties as Manager in September, before Harry Watling took over on the touchline, only to depart after three months in December.
Josh Wright has since taken the reigns, having served a Fleet player after arriving at the Kuflink Stadium in 2022.
They come into the final off the back off a 2-2 draw at home with Altrincham on Saturday.
CUP HISTORY
The Wings have lifted the Kent Senior Cup on three occasions, with the last success coming in 2009. Their other two final victories came in 1986 and 1999.
Last season saw Welling bow out of the competition at the second round stage following defeat at Sevenoaks Town.
Wednesday will be their eighth appearance in the final.
Ebbsfleet have appeared in 14 Kent Senior Cup finals, winning the competition on eight occasions – in 1949, 1953, 1981, 2000, 2001, 2002 (as Gravesend & Northfleet), 2008 and 2014.
They reached the final last season, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Maidstone United.
TICKETS
The Wings have been allocated the Gordon Road Stand, while Ebbsfleet supporters will be situated in the Medway Stand Lower.
The match will be all ticket with tickets available to purchase online up until kick-off on the day of the game at the following prices:
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
12-16: £10
5-11: £5
All tickets must be purchased online in advance with no sales available from the ground on the evening of the game.
Click here to purchase your Kent Senior Cup final tickets
LIVE COVERAGE
Wings fans not able to make Wednesday’s final can follow all the action with live commentary thanks to Radio Wings.
You can join Nigel Jones in the commentary box by clicking here come kick off.
Full match updates will be available via the club’s official X account, while a match report will be available to view on wellingunited.com shortly after full-time.
