Welling United were crowned Kent Senior Cup winners at Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday with a 1-0 final victory over Ebbsfleet United.
An excellent Wings showing was punctuated by Josh Redfearn’s first-half winner, before Brian Statham’s side put in an excellent defensive display in the second period to keep their National League opponents at bay and ensure the trophy would be coming back to Park View Road for the first time since 2009.
A lively first half saw the action swing from end to end in what was an entertaining encounter at the home of Gillingham.
Ebbsfleet came out of the traps early with George Moncur hitting the crossbar with a well-struck free-kick on six minutes, before Dominic Poleon had one cleared off the line by Maxwell Statham moments later.
The Wings looked bright themselves with debutant Jez Davies firing just wide at the other end, before Moncur hit the woodwork once again for Fleet, this time hitting the post.
But with 23 minutes on the clock, it was Welling who took a deserved lead as Redfearn rounded off a fine move – the striker was played into the box on the left-hand side and he kept his cool to place his shot past keeper Felix Goddard and into the back of the net.
Ebbsfleet continued to look dangerous in attack as they went in search of an equaliser and hit the woodwork for a third time when Poleon struck the post, before the former Leeds United man clipped another one off the top of the bar not long after.
The action slowed down somewhat in the second half as Welling worked to manage and maintain their lead.
In fact, they came close to doubling that lead on 55 minutes when Redfearn broke quickly and got into the box before squaring for Taylor-Crossdale, who turned and saw his effort well blocked and just over from close range.
In truth, there was very little in the way of chances for either side throughout the second half and Welling expertly kept Fleet at bay as they searched in vain for a way back.
And come the final whistle, the Wings faithful were able to enjoy the celebrations of a trophy lift as their team secured the Kent Senior Cup for the the fourth time in the club’s history.
Ebbsfleet United: Goddard, O’Neill, Cordner (Manktelow 46), Bingham (Cosgrave 67), Moncur, Poleon, Cundle (Domi 52, (Anthony 70)), Carr, Chapman, Olagunju, Aoraha (Bolger 52).
Booked: Olagunju 43 (foul on Taylor-Crossdale), Domi 70 (foul on Ballard-McBride), Chapman 90+3 (foul)
Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Quick, Di Trolio, H Walker, Bramble, Z Walker (Kamara 37), Ballard-McBride (Cornish 66), Davies (Kashket 90+3), Taylor-Crossdale (Briscoe 78), Redfearn.
Subs (not used): Moore.
Goal: Redfearn 23
Referee: Joseph Dann-Pye
Att: 1,132
