After two home league wins, Welling United return to FA Cup action with a Second Qualifying Round tie at Dulwich Hamlet.

To reach this stage, the Wings had to negotiate an away tie at Faversham Town, and a home replay. The first game ended one apiece. Welling could barely have started better when going ahead in the second minute. Kaan Bennett got clear down the right and slid it across for Nahum Melvin-Lambert to tuck home. There were few other clear cut chances until Bennett hit the post in the second half. As the clock ran down, Faversham levelled through an excellent strike by Kieron Campbell.

Then, in the replay, they left it late but were good value for their win. Demaray Anyadike put the Wings ahead seven minutes before the break. Tommy Fagg levelled in the second period and it looked as though the game was heading for extra time when Ryan Kingsford was brought down in the penalty area. He got back up and converted from the spot.

It was more straight-forward for Dulwich. They hosted East Grinstead Town and beat them comfortably. Ogo Obi scored a first half hat-trick and Gaspar Mico added a goal for good measure late in the second period.

Since the Faversham replay, Welling have played two home Isthmian League Premier Division matches from which they have collected six points. They defeated Wingate and Finchley four-one before hosting Cheshunt on Tuesday evening. They went ahead when Jamie Reynolds delivered a corner, Zak O’Keefe flicked it on, and a defender got the last touch for what was deemed by the referee to be an own goal.

There was no dispute on who scored their second. Fifteen plus passes ended with Bennett tricking his way down the right wing before crossing for Bertram-Cooper. The result, combined with others, means that the Wings are now on eighteen points from eight games, and only behind league leaders Enfield Town on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Dulwich were not in action. Their last outing was on Saturday when they beat Brentwood Town two-one at home. David Smith put the hosts ahead in the first half. Harry Gibbs levelled with eighteen minutes remaining before Sol Baugh scored the winner six minutes later. Following the midweek results, Dulwich are five points behind the Wings having played a game fewer.

Last season’s league meeting between Dulwich and Welling at Champion Hill ended in victory for the hosts. Anthony Cook put the Hamlet ahead from the penalty spot in the twenty-first minute and Amadou Kassarate added a second eleven minutes later. Ruben Shakpoke pulled one back in the second half and Welling searched for a leveller without success. Cook ensured that the three points went to Dulwich when adding a third with three minutes remaining.

Over three thousand attended that match and a similar crowd is expected for the derby match on Saturday.

Image courtesy of Chris Zimmerman