Welling United secured a place in the next stage of the Velocity Cup with a third-round victory over Folkestone Invicta in Ryan Maxwell’s first game in charge at Park View Road on Tuesday evening.

The Wings took control of the first half against a young Invicta side, who gave a good account of themselves on the night, taking the lead with 18 minutes on the clock.

After pouncing on possession outside of the box, Josh Redfearn forced his way through and finished nicely into the left side of the net to bag his first goal since returning to the club.

In truth, there was very little action at either end during the first 45, with Jonah Walker’s free-kick from 25 yards coming closest, dipping just over the bar just before the half-time whistle.

The visitors gave Welling plenty to think about in the second half and stamped their mark five minutes after the restart when substitute Oscar Weight pulled Invicta level with a fine strike, finding the top left-hand corner from the edge of the box after cutting in from the right.

Folkestone continued to frustrate the Wings as they held them at bay until the 77th minute, when they finally broke down their young opponents to bag the winner.

After failing to clear their lines, Redfearn pounced to apply pressure on the Invicta backline, before  finding the bottom right-hand corner at the second time of asking to secure his brace.

A place in the next round was well and truly secured in the 89th minute when Welling added a third. With visiting stopper Isaac Ogunseri hesitating on the ball, Aaron Williams-Bushell took advantage to take it off him and finish into an empty net.

Welling will now take on either Ramsgate or Ashford United away from home in the next round of the competition and the Wings will now prepare for Maxwell’s first league game at the helm on Saturday when they head to Billericay Town.

Welling United: Curtis-Henry, Williams-Bushell, Apat (Boxall 56), Majoyegbe (O’Neill 46), Chima, Walker, Thomas, Paxman (Young 33), Addy, Redfearn, Akinwande (Clout 46).

Subs (not used): Norman.

Goals: Redfearn 18, 77, Williams-Bushell.

Folkestone Invicta: Ogunseri, Linkson, Clark, Uttley, Brooks-Read, Caldwell, Akanni, T Weight, Linford, Radbourne, Oliva.

Subs: O’Neill, O Weight, Burchett, Kent, Styles.

Goal: O Weight 50

Referee: George Barker

Att: 205

Photo: Chris Zimmerman