The Stones’ defence of the Kent Senior Cup came to an end at the first hurdle as two second half Welling United goals see the Wings come from behind to progress to the next round.
In a much changed Stones XI, the question was always going to be, how quick could the players gel in the opening 10 minutes? Welling came out the blocks better than the Stones, taking control of the majority of possession. Within the first five minutes, Zain Walker saw an ambitious volley go well wide of Lenny Holden’s goal.
Riley Court who was ever impressive at right back whipped a ball in just shy of the 10 minute mark towards the head of Pierre Fonkeu but was very difficult for him to direct it goalwards. Tyler Hatton who earned a rare start saw his low drive from 25 yards go just wide of the post with keeper Javarn Pitterson at full stretch.
Neither team were settling into a rhythm but a moment of brilliance from Riley Court just before the half hour mark changed the complexion of the half. From a free kick right on the edge of the box, Court managed to find a gap in the Welling wall by whipping it towards the near post which snuck under Pitterson to give the Stones the lead.
Welling pushed for an equaliser just before half time and again Walker was allowed to hit a volley which was fierce but wouldn’t quite dip under the bar for the Wings number 7.
The Wings came out for the second half with a point to prove and got their equaliser 5 minutes in when the Stones lost the ball in midfield and it allowed Charlie Pegrum to drive a low shot across goal which was brilliantly saved by Holden by Mitchell Bergkamp bundled the rebound home.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Stones found themselves a goal behind when a long ball wasn’tt smothered by Holden and Walker was allowed to pounce on the error and tap in for Welling’s second.
The two goals certainly settled the home side as their pace and energy increased as the game went on. Elliot Long was close to adding a third when he got goal side of Tyler Hatton but put the effort just wide of the left hand post.
Substitute Anointed Chukwu should have buried a third for Welling when Bergkamp laid it on a plate for him from close range but blazed it over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Shaq Coulthirst had a chance to equalise 5 minutes from time when the ball slipped into him and was able to run through on goal but Pitterson did well to spread himself and make an important save with his foot.
Welling United: Mitchell Bergkamp 50’, Zain Walker 59’
Maidstone United: Riley Court 28’
Welling United: 1. Javarn Pitterson, 2. Kwaku Donkor (12. Chiori Johnson 71 mins), 3. Paul Osew, 4. Garrett Kelly (14. Ben Wells 73 mins), 5. Jack Burchell, 6. Maxwell Statham, 7. Zain Walker (15. Elliot Long 60 mins), 8. TJ Bramble (17. Anthony Grant 87 mins), 9. Martell Taylor-Crossdale (16. Anointed Chukwu 78 mins), 10. Mitchell Bergkamp (C), 11. Charlie Pegrum.
Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 2. Tyler Hatton, 5. Reggie Rye (7. Enzo Pougue 71 mins), 6. Jack Gibson, 10. Shaq Coulthirst (C), 14. AJ Clark (16. Tayt Trusty 83 mins), 15. Harry Lodovica (8. Jon Benton 71 mins), 17. Riley Court, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 19. Pierre Fonkeu (9. Fraser Page 78 mins), 20. Sam Smith. Subs not used: 1. Chris Swift.
