Both Cray Valley PM and Welling United gave opportunities to some of their younger players in the London Senior Cup second round and it was the visitors who prevailed.
Having met at Cray’s Mayne Arena five weeks earlier, with Welling winning in the Kent Senior Cup, they locked horns again and once more, it was the team from Bexley Borough who progressed. When the draw was made, Welling were due to play at home, but the two clubs agreed to play the match in Eltham with both teams donating their share of the gate receipts to the Freddie Farmer Foundation supporting disabled children.
After a cagey opening, Welling went ahead in the fourteenth minute. Wayne Compagnin and Kevin Rivera combined well to set up Kaan Bennett and he finished well from the edge of the penalty area.
Ryan Blackman landed a corner on the top of the bar then Micah Anthony got on the end of a swift Welling move down the left and hit a low shot that was saved at the second attempt by Ben Rankine. Anthony then became the provider when picking out Bennett who headed wide.
Just after the half hour mark, Welling scored again. Lionel Lazellani created the opportunity with clever skills before putting in Anthony who clipped it over Rankine.
Three minutes later Welling scored again when Blackman delivered a corner to the near post and Nahum Melvin-Lambert headed it past the helpless Cray goalkeeper.
As half time approached, Welling added a fourth. Melvin-Lambert crossed and Lewis Allen got into a muddle and directed his header into his own net.
After the break, at which time both managers made a triple change, Lazellari was brought down by Rankine in the area and a penalty was awarded. The Millers’ goalkeeper atoned by guessing the right way and saving Lazellari’s attempted conversion.
Then, after Enoch Muwonge had hit the crossbar, the Millers were awarded a penalty. Muwonge stepped up and fired past Welling goalkeeper Andrew Reascos.
Blackman fired well over before the visitors captain, Nathan Bertram-Cooper, went on a long powerful run straight down the middle and laid it off to Reon Smith-Kouassi. He attempted to curl it in but it went inches past the far upright.
Oliver Whitby was off target with a free kick for the hosts before Lazellari came close again with an effort that came back out off the bar. Blackman delivered a free kick that Elric Ntonye headed wide then Rankine did well to tip over a Lazellari header.
Although too late to effect the outcome, Whitby delivered a free kick that did not get the desired touch and Reascos held on well.
Victory for the Wings means that is they who will progress to the third round to play the winners of the Hashtag United versus Queens Park Rangers tie that is due to be played on 8th December.
Cray Valley PM: Rankine; Turner, L. Allen, Benedict, Sankoh; Joyce, Brooke; Cain, Whitby, I. Allen; Sanford.
Subs not used: Obiajuly, Burjak, Adriel, Jeffrey, Muwonge, None.
Goalscorers: Muwonge pen (
Yellow cards: None
Welling United Reascos; Campagnin, Bertram-Cooper, Norris, Ntonye; Blackman; Rivera, Bennett, Anthony; Melvin-Lambert.
Subs not used: Smith-Kouassi, Pinnock, Regan, Christy, Newland.
Goalscorer:
Yellow cards:
Referee: Jamaal Horne
Assistants: Luke Thomas and Kennedy Ahenkorah
Attendance: 221
Pictures supplied by Steve Blunn.