Welling United bowed out of the Kent Senior Cup at the first time of asking with a 3-2 defeat to VCD Athletic at The Oakwood on Tuesday evening.
It was the hosts who made the stronger start, taking a ninth-minute lead through Harry Sargent, who nodded home from a right-wing delivery at the far post.
Welling tested VCD stopper Andy Walker with an effort courtesy of John Ufuah on the 20-minute mark, while Ruben Shakpoke sent a shot narrowly wide of the post shortly after, before the home side extended their lead.
The 34th-minute strike was an impressive one as Ollie Freeman found the bottom right-hand corner with a crisp strike on the half-volley from the edge of the box.
The holders’ grip on the cup was loosening, but they gave themselves hope in first-half injury time when Scott Simmons stretched out a leg to turn Cory Adjetey-Brew’s corner into the net from close range.
Welling laboured to find their way back into the game in the second half, but the closest they came to a leveller was when Shakpoke diverted Luke O’Neills free-kick delivery past the post from a good position in the box, before the home side regained their two-goal advantage with 15 minutes remaining.
A low ball from the left across the Wings’ six-yard box was met by Harry Lawrence, who turned it home to make it 3-1 and seemingly put the tie out of reach.
The visitors did respond almost immediately, however, as John Ufuah rifled in a brilliant shot from the edge of the box which dipped into the bottom right-hand corner to keep things interesting in the latter stages.
In the 87th minute, a Welling corner caused chaos as the delivery was cleared off the line, before both Eze Ebuzoeme and O’Neill saw efforts blocked from close range.
Meanwhile, a big block deep in injury time denied Greg Cundle a goal to force penalties, and the hosts survived their late scare to take their place in the third round.
The Wings will now enjoy a rest on Saturday, before returning to league action with a trip to Ramsgate next Tuesday.
VCD Athletic: Walker, Lawrence, Cowin, Byron (Ozobia 64), Christie, Sargent, Ikebuasi (Kaleba 77), Evans, Freeman (Hards 58), Gboda (Vaughan 90+1), Barrington (Boissere 89).
Goals: Sargent 9, Freeman 34, Lawrence 75
Welling United: Norman, Williams-Bushell, Majoyegbe, Simmons (O’Neill 50), Scott (Akinwande 54), Ebuzoeme, Adjetey-Brew, Cundle, Paxman, Ufuah, Shakpoke.
Subs (not used): McKenzie-Lyle, Clay, Rayner.
Goals: Simmons 45+2, Ufuah 77
(Photos: Kieran North)
