Welling United 2-2 Dartford - If you don't punish people they come back to punish you, admits Dartford boss Tony Burman

Welling United 2 – 2 Dartford
Location	Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY
Kickoff	22/11/2016 19:45

WELLING UNITED  2-2  DARTFORD
(Welling United win 4-1 on penalties)
Kent Reliance Senior Cup Second Round
Tuesday 22^nd November 2016
Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road

WELLING UNITED coach Jamie Day admits his side got a little bit lucky after knocking the holders out of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup to book their place in tomorrow’s Quarter-Final Draw.

Dartford arrived at Park View Road in fifth-place in the Vanarama National League South table on 35 points from 18 games, while Welling United have suffered three defeats on the bounce and have slumped into the bottom two in the same division on 12 points from 19 games.

Both clubs play FA Buildbase FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round ties away to league rivals Concord Rangers and Weston-super-Mare respectively at the weekend but they both put out strong sides for this Second Round tie.

Welling United opened the scoring through former Dartford striker Harry Crawford, 24, but Dartford’s longest serving player, winger Ryan Hayes converted a penalty to bring his side level.

Dartford lost Gibraltar international goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim to a kick to the neck just before half-time.

Dartford took the lead early in the second half through Keaton Wood’s header, but Welling United snatched a dramatic late equaliser through Matt Fish’s deflected drive.

Mark Goldberg’s side almost snatched a morale-boosting victory at the death but Sam Hatton’s penalty is still flying around orbit.

Welling United’s goalkeeper, Harry Girling, 18, who is on loan from League One side Millwall, saved two penalties in the shoot-out to help his side win 4-1 and join Bromley, Charlton Athletic, Folkestone Invicta, Herne Bay or Dover Athletic, Margate, Ramsgate, VCD Athletic or Gillingham in Wednesday’s Draw.

“I think we started the game well and then sort of dropped off a little bit and conceded some sloppy goals on our part after being in front,” said Day.

“We showed good character to come back into the game, should’ve won it in normal time but I was just pleased with the response after going 2-1 down - and there was a good attitude with the boys.

“The Cup’s not the priority for us but it’s a win and hopefully builds a little bit of confidence and there’s still loads to work on but I’m pleased with a lot of aspects of tonight’s game in attitude and wanting to do well so hopefully that continues into the weekend.”

“I’m really pleased with the performance of some of the players,” said Darford boss Tony Burman after losing their grip on the trophy.

“In all fairness, second half there was only one team in it in all fairness.  The best team lost the game, so disappointed because I think the players who have been waiting patiently to come in have played very, very well tonight. 

“We should’ve increased the lead and we haven’t and then they got a deflected goal.  Disappointing but in respect of going out of the Cup but the actual overall team performance, I thought was excellent.”

Welling United started the game well and they missed a glorious chance to take the lead inside the opening six minutes.

Set-piece specialist Hatton floated in a deep free-kick from the right and Pierre Joseph-Dubois got underneath his header to steer his free attempt over the crossbar from eight-yards.

With Goldberg watching the action from the stands, Day was in charge from his position in the dug-out.

Day said: “I don’t think we put enough decent balls in the box tonight, didn’t do enough to test the keeper in the second half, but I thought some of our build-up play was good. We just need to be more clinical in the final third.”

Burman said: “We felt we gave a couple of silly free-kicks away at the start of the game. It caused us a bit of a problem but to be fair the players came back into it.”

Dartford’s first opportunity also came from a header but Ellis Brown’s free-attempt from Hayes’ deep whipped in cross from the right went wide.

Dartford built-up well in midfield through Wood and Lee Noble, the ball was played out to winger Luke Wanadio, who cut inside and stroked his drive past the near post.

Welling United opened the scoring with 20 minutes and 51 seconds on the clock – the first of four goals that came from a set-piece.

Hatton whipped in a curling free-kick into the Dartford penalty area from the left for Crawford to get the faintest of touches to glance his header across Ibrahim to find the far corner from 12-yards.

“I’m pleased for H,” said Day.  “I’ve watched H over a number of years and Dan Walker and they’ve done well against the teams that I’ve been at so hopefully they’ve got an opportunity now to try to stake a claim in the first team.

“H and Dan Walker have been out for a long time and it’s nice for them to get 60 minutes under the belt. 

Burman added: “I know he’s been injured and he’s come back into it so it’s good to see him playing again.”

Dartford squandered an excellent chance to equalise just 97 seconds later.

Hayes whipped in a quality ball in from the right and striker Ben Francis got in behind Rian Bray at the far post to plant his header straight at Girling, who was in the right place to grab hold of the ball in the centre of his goal.

“It was a good move, a great bit of football and Ben’s played a few games, maybe he should’ve put it in but he was in there to sort of miss it if you like,” said Burman.

Girling had to be at his very best to prevent Noble cracking a stunning right-footed drive from 30-yards, forcing the keeper to dive to his right to beat the shot towards safety.

“Great save from the keeper, yes it was a great strike and I’m pleased with what they’ve all done,” added the Dartford boss.

Day added: “Just after we took the lead I thought Dartford got themselves back into it and had two good chances. A great strike from Nobes because he has got good range and we know what Hayes’ has got to offer with good delivery and his quality.

“A good save by H. We didn’t mark well enough in the box but it was a bit of a warning and they got a penalty after that.”

This was a good spell from Dartford and Hayes twisted and turned his man before trying to loop a shot into the top far corner of the net, the ball plucked out of the air by Girling.

Dartford deservedly equalised with 30 minutes and 9 seconds on the clock through Hayes’ fourth goal of the season.

Wood played a lovely ball in behind and Ellis Brown who fouled inside the box by Fish and referee Aji Ajibola pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Hayes to stroke his left-footed penalty nesting nicely into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Girling the wrong way.

“It was a great run by Ellis, a really good run and Keaton put him through and he's been taken down. It was a definite penalty and I thought we deserved to get level,” said Burman.

Day added: “Fish just got caught the wrong side, I think and just clipped the back of his leg and if it was the other way round we’d probably want the same, so we know about Hayes’ quality is like, he just tucked it away.

“Then I thought we got ourselves back into the game a little bit again but didn’t start the second half as well as we had the first and we conceded another goal.”

Ellis Brown sped past a couple of Welling defenders but Girling advanced off his line to pounce on the shot low to his left, before Dartford’s keeper was stretchered off as play was held up for seven minutes.

Welling United won themselves a free-kick just outside the corner of the penalty area and Hatton drilled a low right-footed penalty through a crowd of players towards the bottom far corner.

Ibrahim got down swiftly low to his left to clutch the ball in his hands, only to spill the ball and took a whack from Rickie Hayles as the Welling central defender tried to poke the ball over the line.

Despite the early concern, Burman revealed: “I think he’s got a kick on his neck and his neck has just stiffened up. Not a problem, I don’t think, I think he’ll be fine.”

Day added: “It’s a bit difficult to see, hopefully Del’s alright but I’ve known Deren a long time so hopefully it’s not too bad.  I think he got a knee into his neck or something so fingers crossed he’s alright for the weekend.  I didn’t think there was any intent from Rickie. I think he tried to get the ball after Del had spilt it and just caught him.”

Welling United’s holding midfielder Ali Fuseini hit a right-footed drive over the crossbar from 25-yards, before the Wings called substitute goalkeeper Tony Coxall into making a vital save.

Fuseini pinged a quality pass in behind for Crawford to run onto but Coxall rushed out towards the edge of his penalty area to smother the ball.

Burman said: “Tony’s waited patiently and he’s been involved in and around the squad. He’s not quite ready yet at this moment in time but nevertheless he pulled off a good save.”

Day said: “Nice bit of play from Harry. I think he tucked it inside and a good save from the young lad.  I’m pleased with H, I think he’s got a lot to offer this club. He’s someone that I like and hopefully we can get him 100% fit in the next few weeks and firing on all cylinders.”

Both were asked their thoughts at the break.

Day said: “I think there was a few things that we need to improve on, getting set-up quicker and the basics. We haven’t done the basics well enough since I’ve been here in games, that’s something we need to work on.

“It was a message of keep going and get what we need to get out of this game. I don’t think we started the second half particularly well but showed character in the end.”

Burman said: “Just keep going! We felt we could just keep going and keep our shape, just do the same things and I felt we did.”

Dartford won the corner count by eight to three and they went close following their fifth.

The quiet Wanadio cut the ball back to Noble, who powered his curler around the far post from 25-yards.

Dartford took the lead for the first time, with two minutes and 58 seconds on the clock.

Hayes whipped in a trademark free-kick with his left foot from the right which sailed towards the far post where Wood out-jumped the keeper to plant his header into the near corner from a couple of yards out.

“If you get a free-kick and put it in the right area you get an opportunity to try to score a goal and we have many of them that sometimes go past the goals and things like that.  It’s Ryan’s trademark, he’s put the ball in and Keaton’s got on the end of it.”

Day said: “It was a disappointing goal from our part. I think it was a silly foul in the first place, to give it away. You know when you play against Dartford as well as being a decent side they have always been a threat from set-pieces and good deliveries.  I think we probably feel we should’ve done better with the ball in the box but we didn’t and they scored.”

Hayes then played the ball to Francis on the outside, who fed the ball back to Hayes, but the wingers left-footed drive sailed high over the crossbar from 25-yards.

Welling United’s Christian Nanetti drove a first time drive with his left-footed flashing just past the foot of the right-hand post in the 57^th minute, but Goldberg’s side lacked quality in the final third as Dartford were comfortable.

Central midfielder Wood sprayed the ball out to Hayes on the right, who cut in and powered a stinging drive straight into Girling’s hands at his near post.

Dartford were in control and the game appeared to be petering out into a comfortable 2-1 win for Burman’s side, as Welling United offered no threat.

Dartford squandered an excellent chance to kill the game off when Brown swept the ball inside to substitute Andy Pugh, who clipped his 20-yard shot straight into Girling’s hands.

Burman admitted: “We needed to go further in front and we didn’t do that but having said that we was quite comfortable in fairness, maybe too comfortable.”

Welling United didn’t look like scoring until Fuseini somehow failed to head in an equaliser.

“I thought there were parts where they took control and we looked a little bit leggy,” admitted Day.

“Then, I thought towards the end we got ourselves back into the game again so I’m pleased that.  Obviously, there’s lots to work on and lots to still do.  I thought we came back into the game and then finished the stronger of the two, which was pleasing.

“I think if Pughie was on a little bit longer he’d probably have scored it, but good feet. Pughie’s a fantastic player. I’ve got a lot of time for him. When he cut inside I thought that was it but for us we got a little bit lucky tonight and that stage of the game and then we managed to get one and claw it back.”

Hatton floated in a corner from the left towards the far post and Fuseini should have steered his header into the back of the net from a couple of yards – only to guide his header across the goal and back to Hatton.

A shocked Day, said: “I don’t know how he’s missed it! I think he’s shut his eyes.  It was a free header from two-yards out and he’s managed to head it back to Sam! I don’t think heading is his greatest technique as a footballer.  I’ve never actually seen him head it other than that, we’ll let him off.”

Welling United received a huge slice of luck to snatch a lucky equaliser with 40 minutes and 38 seconds on the clock.

They build up well down the right and a low cross from substitute Archie Johnson was cleared out to right-back Fish, who smacked a drive, which deflected off Wood and looped over Coxall’s head before dipping into the back of the net.

“I’ve seen a lot of keepers get caught out at that end. It does dip on the line and it’s a horrible goal-mouth,” said Day.

“We didn’t test the keeper enough in the second half with crosses and shots and the time we do shoot we get rewarded for it and I think it’s something we need to look at.”

Burman said: “Second half there was only one side in it but nevertheless if you don’t punish teams, they come back to punish you and they ended up getting a deflection which has gone in at the end of the day. 

“Yes, they’ve missed a penalty as well so they can say that, but overall, I’m delighted with the way some of my players that haven’t been in the side recently, performed.”

Welling United should have grabbed the victory when they were awarded a penalty when Tom Wynter slid in to send Nanetti to the deck.

Hatton drilled his right-footed penalty high, high, high into orbit and into Danson Park – one minute and 20 seconds into time added on.

Day said: “It’s still in the park! I don’t know whereabouts it is in the park but someone of Sam’s experience he knows he should’ve done better but he’s missed, penalties get missed.”

Burman added: “I’m not sure whether it was a penalty or not.  They’ve got it and they’ve missed it, but we’ve been fortunate that it goes into penalties and we’ve lost on penalties but we were by far the better side tonight!”

Girling stretched high to his right to push over Hayes’ cross-come-shot from the right as the game had to be settled by seven penalties in the shoot-out.

Inevitably, Hatton showed great character to step up to take the first penalty, nestling it into the bottom left-hand corner to put Welling United in front.

Day added: “ Penalties get missed and I’m just pleased he showed good character to come back and take the first one again and what he done that time, he should’ve done during the game!”

Hayes smashed the ball high over the Erith & Belvedere clubhouse after his left-footed penalty was saved by Girling, going low to his left.

Fish stepped up and sent Coxall the wrong way with his right-footed penalty into the left-corner.

Former Welling United striker Pugh placed his right-footed penalty into the top right-hand corner, sending Girling the wrong way.

Welling United raced into a 3-1 lead when substitute George Oakley drove his right-footed penalty straight down the middle.

Girling pulled off his second penalty save, diving low to his right to deny Dartford substitute Alex Brown.

Nanetti was penalised by the referee for faking his run-up, before sending Coxall the wrong way by slotting his left-footed penalty into the bottom right-hand corner – but he sealed Welling United’s 4-1 victory by finding the top right-hand corner at the second attempt.

Dartford knocked out Cray Wanderers 2-1 in the First Round, while Welling United came away from Chatham Town as 6-1 winners.

Day was full of praise for his goalkeeper Girling.

“Pleased for H, young keeper, still learning his trade and two good saves so pleased for him,” said Day.

“We move on to Saturday now with a little bit of confidence to take and hopefully we can raise our levels again and get a win and try to keep a little run going.”

Day said he is keen to be at home for their Kent Reliance Senior Cup Quarter-Final.

He said: “I just want a home draw. It’s not the priority but it’s nice to keep runs going and winning games so I’d like to play at home, but it’s a game that gives everyone minutes again and hopefully we can put on a decent run and just try to keep it going.”

Reflecting on his side’s early exit, Burman added: “That happens, you just have to get on with it. It’s one of those things. On another day the shoot-put will go for you, so it’s just s shame because of the way the players have played and the effort that they’ve put in.  I don’t know how we’re not walking away from it going into the next round but we’re not and that’s football. We’ve lost the trophy, yes.”

Welling United: Harry Girling, Matt Fish, Jordon Brown, Ali Fuseini, Rickie Hayles, Rian Bray, Pierre Joseph-Dubois (Josh Jackson 71), Sam Hatton, Christian Nanetti, Harry Crawford (George Oakley 59), Dan Walker (Archie Johnson 59).
Subs: Danny Waldren, Paul Agu

Goals: Harry Crawford 21, Matt Fish 86

Booked: Rickie Hayles 36

Dartford: Deren Ibrahim (Tony Coxall 42), Becka-Kah Dembele, Tom Wynter, Tom Bonner, Ronnie Vint, Keaton Wood, Ryan Hayes, Lee Noble (Alex Brown 76), Ben Francis (Andy Pugh 76), Ellis Brown, Luke Wanadio.
Subs: Danny Harris, Tom Gardiner

Goals: Ryan Hayes 31 (penalty), Keaton Wood 48

Booked: Tom Bonner 36

Attendance: 252
Referee: Mr Aji Ajibola (Dartford)
Assistants: Mr Michael Marsh (Sandwich) & Mr Daniel Baruch

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