It took a come from behind victory for Welling United to beat Chesham United and progress in the F.A. Cup.
Although Chesham have only won one point so far this season from seven games, they came out the faster and had Dave Pearce’s cross been a few inches lower Ryan Blake might have headed home.
They then came closer when Lewis Rolfe slung in a cross towards the far post and Darren Locke’s header floated towards goal and went over via the top of the crossbar.
Jefferson Louis, playing for the 37th club of his career, despite shot over either side of Matt Bevans firing a free kick too high before Nassim L’Ghoul had a shot saved comfortably for Welling.
With half an hour on the clock, Chesham went ahead. Welling got caught playing on the edge of their own box and Louis nicked it away before powering through and firing into the bottom corner.
John Paul Kissock thought that he had a good shout for a penalty when he appeared to have been taken out but Welling were level soon after.
Gavin McCallum took responsibility down the left wing and pulled back for Jack Jebb to guide home.
Buoyed by the goal, Welling had three more chances in the last ten minutes of the first half. McCallum had Welling’s first opportunity when spinning and shooting which drew a good save from Alex Tokarczyk then Craig Braham-Barrett tested him at the near post.
Finally, L’Ghoul hit a shot that the goalkeeper was happy to turn away at the cost of a corner.
After the break, McCallum headed over from a Jebb corner before Chesham had a couple of opportunities. Bradley Clayton shot well over before Louis headed wide from a Rolfe cross.
From then on it was all Welling but they struggled to create clear cut chances.
L’Ghoul created a shooting chance but dragged it wide of the near post then McCallum spun and shot wide.
Tokarczyk made a point blank save from a Danny Mills header before substitute Zack Newton headed wide off balance from James Hurst’s cross.
Newton laid back for Yannis Ambroisine to shoot but his effort was deflected over then from Jebb’s corner Mills headed over,
Just as some Welling supporters were starting to consider travel arrangements for a Tuesday night replay at Chesham, Welling scored the winner. Jebb slung in a free kick and McCallum beat two defenders to power a header that stretched the net.
Jebb had a shot saved then Mills had a header claimed easily as Welling saw out the game in relative comfort despite the lengthy additional time.
Welling United: Wilks, Hurst Braham-Barrett, Ijaha (Anau 89), Ambroisine, Audel, Kissock (Newton 62), Jebb, Mills, McCallum, L’Ghoul (Mendy 79).
Subs not used: Gibbons, Quebe, Pinney, Banya.
Chesham United: Tokarczyk, Rolfe (Swale 86), Toomey (Crilley 78), Bevans, Walster, Locke, Baker (Noel-Williams 82), Clayton, Blake, Louis, Pearce.
Subs not used: Totesaut, Bates, Holland, Platt.
Welling United:
Goalscorers: Jebb (35), McCallum (77)
Yellow cards: Kissock, Audel, Jebb, Braham-Barrett
Red cards: None
Chesham United:
Goalscorers: Louis (30)
Yellow cards: Baker, Clayton
Red cards: None
Referee: Tom Donellan
Assistants: Stuart Smith and Jack Scott
Attendance: 435
Welling star player: Gavin McCallum
Images courtesy of Dave Budden