Welling United progress in FA Trophy after penalty shootout win over Brackley Town

BY MARK DOIG

There was more joy for Welling United in the FA Trophy when they knocked out National League North promotion chasers Brackley Town at the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium yesterday.

Just as they had done in the second round at home to Taunton Town, Welling had to get through a penalty shootout to progress.

Danny Bloor, Welling’s manager, selected an unchanged team from the one that drew at fourth-placed Aveley in a league fixture five days previously meaning that TJ Bramble continued to deputise at centre-back and Ike Orji made his home debut.

His team are becoming kings of the draw with seven of their last 11 games being level after 90 minutes but they did extend their unbeaten run at home to eight league and cup matches over three months.

They didn’t start well and went behind in the fourth minute when Dom McHale flicked home Alex Gudger’s knockdown. Orji then made a block from Riccardo Calder’s shot and the visitors continued to look dangerous in the first 20 minutes before Welling settled into the tie.

Josh Chambers worked his way through for the Wings but his low shot went wide, then Jephte Tanga drew a good save out of Saints goalkeeper Danny Lewis. The lively Tyler Little shot straight at Reice Charles-Cook for Brackley before Tanga again went close. His initial shot came back off Zak Lilly and he used his skills to make space to shoot again and test Lewis, who did well to keep it out.

In first-half injury time, Welling levelled. They were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and Tristan Abrahams crashed his free-kick beyond the defensive wall and inside the far post.

Early in the second period, Anthony Grant surged into the penalty area but shot well over before Abrahams nicked it away and shot hard to the right of Lewis. He put out his arm and made a good block but Tanga was first to the rebound and headed home. Sadly for him, he was flagged for offside.

Lewis was again busy when saving from a Chambers header before Little fired over after Jake Jervis headed down. Little was again in the thick of things when shooting wide of the near post, then sliding it across the face of goal with nobody able to finish.

As the game moved into the latter stages, Welling assumed control. Chambers rolled an effort beyond the post before he broke through again and was thwarted by an excellent save. Lewis made one last stop, albeit without knowing too much about it, when Lachlan Byrd’s header hit him.

There was still time for Brackley substitute Layton Love to be shown a second yellow card before the final whistle meant a penalty shootout was necessary.

Although Dominic Odusanya missed Welling’s first spot kick, Abrahams, Adom, Tanga and Cameron Green all converted. Dan Turner and Shep Murombedzi both hit the post for Brackley and it was the Wings who progressed to the last 32.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN