Ryan Maxwell’s first game in charge of Welling United ended in victory against a youthful Folkestone Invicta team in the Isthmian League Velocity Cup.

Whilst neither team really wanted the game, it was an opportunity for Maxwell to look at the players in his squad that he hadn’t seen close up whilst Folkestone’s manager watched from the stand to see which of his club’s academy players may be ready for the step up.

Playing with energy, and without fear, the young Invicta side pushed the more experienced Wings all the way but it was Maxwell’s team that came through to qualify for the fourth round.

Tunmise Akanni fired over for the visitors before Welling went ahead just after the quarter of an hour mark. Jack Paxman sent Josh Redfearn through and he flicked it past the out-rushing goalkeeper, Isaac Ogunseri, and into the net.

Redfearn had a header saved comfortably before Akanni tested Dion Curtis-Henry with a drive that the Welling debutant goalkeeper pushed round the post. Redfearn then turned provider when finding TQ Addy who shot wide of the near post. Jonah Walker had the last effort of the first half with a free kick that flew over.

Udoka Chima headed over for Welling at the near post early in the second period before Folkestone levelled five minutes in. Substitute Oscar Weight cut in from the left and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Ogunseri made a brave save from Redfearn at the near post after Walker pulled it back from the bye-line then Aaron Williams-Bushell twice fired over, first from a free-kick in a good position, and then from the edge of the area in open play.

Just under fifteen minutes remained when Welling went back ahead. Folkestone made a mess of a clearance and Redfearn took full advantage when crashing it home.

Sonny Radbourne headed over from a Tommy Linkson free kick for Folkestone but the hosts ensured victory with a minute remaining. Ogunseri was caught faffing around inside his own six yard box and Williams-Bushell nicked it away before rolling it over the line.

Welling United: Curtis-Henry; Apat (Boxall 55), Majoyegbe (O’Neill 46), Chima; Thomas; Williams-Bushell, Paxman (Young 32), Addy, Walker; Redfearn, Akinwande (Clout 36).

Sub not used: Norman.

Goalscorers: Redfearn (17), (76), Williams-Bushell (89)

Yellow card: Walker (90 foul)

Folkestone Invicta: Ogunseri; Linkson, Brooks-Read, Caldwell, Clark (O’Neill 90+2); Uttley; Akanni, T. Wight (Styles 890, Radbourne (Kent 83), Oliva (Burchett 90+2); Linford (O. Weight 46).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: O. Weight (50)

Yellow cards: T. Weight (65 foul), Uttley (90+3 dissent)

Referee: George Barker

Assistants: Jeffrey Davis and Nicholas Monkman

Attendance: 205

Pictures supplied by Chris Zimmerman.