Any hopes that Welling United had of a Kent Reliance Senior Cup run were dashed when they crashed out at home to Charlton Athletic.

Early chances went the way of the Addicks. Impressive Kenneth Yao crossed and Joe Aripo came in late but he was closed down and was unable to hit the target.

Terrique Anderson was also off target with a shot after another Yao cross came back out off a defender.

Christian Nanetti set up Welling’s first chance with a through ball to Eli Phipps but his shot was deflected wide.

Karlan Ahearne-Grant caught Welling overplaying and went on a long run before shooting against the post and wide.

Then Welling had a break as Jack Jebb led an attack before passing to the overlapping Connor Dymond. He played a cute ball in to Christie Pattisson who spun and fired just over.

As Welling grew into the game they again came close when Sean Francis met a Jebb Corner with a firm header that a flying Dillon Phillips tipped over.

Francis was also on the end of the next corner but his flicked header wasn’t meant with a finish.

Pattisson again fired over after collecting Jeffrey Monakana’s through ball before Anderson headed over another Yao cross just before the break.

Ian Gayle went down under a heavy challenge in first half injury and was unable to continue with Jack Parkinson replacing him for the second half.

Just three minutes into the second half, Welling were reduced to ten men. Jebb was unable to get the ball out from under his feet and caught in possession on the edge of his own box. Matt Carter nicked it away and Jebb pulled him back. Referee Joseph Stokes believed it was a clear goalscoring chance and sent Jebb off.

Eventually, Ahearne-Grant took the free kick but Dillon Barnes tipped it over. Aripo sent over the corner but Jonnie Jackson sent a free header over.

Jason Euell made a double change for Charlton bringing on Roger Johnson and Alfie Doughty for Ezri Konsa and Ahearne-Grant but Charlton struggled to break down a resolute Welling team playing 4-4-1.

Joe Dodoo did manage to strike home but had strayed into an offside position before Jamie Mascoll fired over from twenty yards.

Aripo curled wide before Jeffrey Monakana had a shot saved comfortably by Phillips.

Freddy Yao had a shot pushed out by Barnes who then made a good save from Doughty.

With it looking as though the tie would go to penalties for the second year running, Naby Sarr found space twenty yards out and caressed his shot into the bottom corner.

Hugo Langton, Welling’s assistant manager, was far happier with the performance, even if losing to a late, late goal to a player who had cost Charlton £2.7 million when signing from Huddersfield Town.

“It was a proper team effort and performance tonight.” he said. He pointed to the fact that Welling played 42 minutes with ten men, finished with an academy player up front and a trialist on the wing. The injury to Ian Gayle didn’t help either.

“I’m absolutely gutted for Ian.” Langton said “He’s got a big cut on his ankle. He’s going to the hospital because we think it might be ligament damage. But we’ll see what happens to him because we have missed him and he was excellent in the first half.

“The idea tonight was for him to play 55 minutes. At half time he said ‘I want to play on.’. I’m gutted for him and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that his hospital results are positive.”

Now Welling have two days to prepare for a difficult league match at Havant and Waterlooville but if they show the same spirit there, they will give themselves a good chance of coming away with something.

 

Welling United: Barnes, Dymond, Johnson, Durojaiye, Gayle (Parkinson 46), Francis, Pattisson, Jebb, Phipps E (Milton 78),  Nanetti, Monakana (Duyile 78).

Subs not used: Jefford, Fulbrook.

 

Charlton Athletic: Phillips, Yao K, Mascoll, Ahearne-Grant (Doughty 58), Jackson, Konsa (Johnson 58), Sarr, Anderson, Aripo, Dodoo (Yao F 69), Carter.

Subs not used: Beeney.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers:

Yellow cards: Durojaiye, Parkinson

Red cards: Jebb

 

Charlton Athletic:

Goalscorers: Sarr 90+3

Yellow cards: Carter, Johnson

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Joseph Stokes

Assistants: Jack Owen and Aaron Conn

 

Attendance: 154

 

Welling star player:  Christian Nanetti

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.