Welling United eased into the first round proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy with a comprehensive victory over Royston Town at Garden Walk on Saturday afternoon.
Femi Akinwande’s strike was added to by a John Ufuah brace to round off a convincing win and secure safe passage into the next round under the watch of returning Interim Manager, Rod Stringer.
The Wings took control of the first half and got their first sight of goal on five minutes when John Ufuah saw a decent effort blocked in the box, before taking the lead with 21 minutes on the clock.
Good work from Zac Hambury down the right-hand side opened things up for the visitors, leading to Akinwande to be teed up nicely and the forward rolled home a finish into the bottom left-hand corner for his first goal in Welling colours.
Rod Stringer’s men continued their domination into the second half and doubled their lead just four minutes after the restart.
Superb work from Luke O’Neill saw the full-back win the ball with a sliding tackle on the halfway line, before getting to his feet and launching a sumptuous ball over the top for Ufuah, who took a touch and coolly slotted past the keeper for 2-0.
The Wings put the tie beyond doubt with 22 minutes remaining as Ufuah secured his brace – Hambury’s deep cross was met by the head of the Welling number 10 from close range and, with that, it was 3-0.
Attention now turns to the Kent Senior Cup with a trip to VCD Athletic on Tuesday evening, before a free weekend to regroup ahead of the next league outing at Ramsgate on Tuesday, October 14th.
Royston Town: Rabstein, BrIghton (Matthews 82), Thomas, Murray, Iaciofano (Locke 85), Beckett, Harness, Frederick, Boorn, Avgoustidis (Warner-Eley 58), Deall (Newman 36).
Subs (not used): Ciuffa.
Booked: Harness 63 (foul on McKenzie-Lyle)
Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle, O’Neill, Majoyegbe, Dobbs, Williams-Bushell, Scott, Ebuzoeme, Paxman, Hambury (Addy 75 (Cundle 90)), Ufuah, Akinwande (Shakpoke 77).
Subs (not used): Norman, Simmons.
Booked: Hambury 55 (foul)
Goals: Akinwande 21, Ufuah 49, 68
Referee: Alfie Critchley
Att: TBC
