Caretaker managers were in charge for both Ebbsfleet United and Welling United in an F.A. Trophy local derby following the events of midweek.
Following the Wings’ victory at AFC Telford United, the announcement came that Jamie Day and his management team were to depart the Wings and join Ebbsfleet.
Both clubs, and Day, felt that it would be better for him to take charge once the tie had been completed so Daryl McMahon continued his ‘acting’ role whilst Jamie Turner, with assistance from suspended captain Jake Gallagher, took temporary charge of the Wings.
Aristide Bassele and Tyrone Marsh had early chances as Welling started strongly, then Chris Bush went close when receiving a short free kick from Joe Healy.
Billy Bricknell got through for Ebbsfleet but Benji Buchel was out quickly to block.
Dean Rance headed over from Chris Sessegnon’s cross then brought another save out of Buchel from Anthony Cook’s free kick.
Just before the half hour mark, Welling went ahead. Shane Huke was deemed to have clipped Marsh in the penalty area and Kieron St. Aimie stepped up to convert the Wings’ first spot kick of the season.
Bassele then went close from Marsh’s cross before referee Justin Amey made a controversial decision. Rance and Joey Taylor went in hard on a fifty-fifty challenge but the official was unhappy with it and showed Taylor a red card.
Before Welling had come to terms with being down to ten men again, former Wing Anthony Acheampong fired home at the far post.
After the break, Ebbsfleet looked to build on the momentum and Buchel made another vital save from Matt Godden then Bricknell was off target with another effort.
McMahon brought himself on and tested Buchel immediately with a low drive.
Godden fired wide for the Fleet but the ten men Wings finished strongly and Bassele fired over following good work by St. Aimie.
St. Aimie might have won it at the death when put clear by a brilliant Sam Corne through ball but Kenny Clark got back to make a crucial last ditch tackle.
On Tuesday night the teams replay the tie at Welling’s Park View Road with Day likely to take control from the unfamiliar surroundings of the away dug-out.
Ebbsfleet United: Hall, Sessegnon, Huke (Pooley 39), Corcoran (Kiernan 75), Acheampong, Clark, Johnson (McMahon 56), Rance, Godden, Bricknell, Cook.
Unused substitutes: Hughes, Shields.
Welling United: Buchel, Williams, Taylor, Fagan, Bush, Fyfield, St Aimie, Corne, Marsh, Bassele (Hudson 87), Healy.
Unused substitutes: Henly, Johnson, Jefford.
Referee: Justin Amey
Attendance: 876
Ebbsfleet star player: Kenny Clark
Welling star player: Jamal Fyfield
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.