Dover Athletic 2-0 Welling United - Dover march on towards holy grail

Saturday 10th October 2009

DOVER ATHLETIC 2-0 WELLING UNITED
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 10th October 2009
Matthew Gerrard reports from Crabble

For 60 minutes this looked like a FA Cup tie that was contested by two sides who lacked any real threat in front of goal and if there was to be a winner it was likely to come from the side that broke the deadlock first.

And this proved the case as Dover’s extra strength saw them reach the fourth qualifying round for the first time in three years.

Welling United, as admitted by both sets of management staff, were the better side in the first half as they played the more flowing football with all their good work revolving around pacy winger Tony Finn, but they failed to test Dover’s Lee Hook who endured a few nervous moments as his troubles from the high ball continued.

The pattern continued until the hour mark, until the home side finally found some rhythm thanks to the introduction of Jerahl Hughes from the bench.

His pace immediately worried the Wings and after Frannie Collin was fouled, a pinpoint Nicky Southall free kick from the touchline was headed home by Ollie Schulz as the Wings defence superbly marshalled by Steve King and Graeme Andrews switched off for the first time giving the giant centre half too much space six yards out which he exploited for his third goal of the season.

This visibly deflated the Wings and they lacked the guile or the penetration to respond as Dover took more and more control.

They doubled the lead with the best move of the game in the 78th minute as Southall picked out a precise pass inside the full back to Hughes, his trickery brought him to the byline and his cross was swept home from 12 yards by the industrious Jon Wallis, whose surge into the box was timed to perfection.

Welling’s day ended with further woe when substitute Jake Hobbs was bundled over in the box in the 89th minute by Jake Leberl, but Hobbs’ spot kick was saved low to his right by Hook to further show their lack of a cutting edge which boss Andy Ford later admitted was a problem he needs to resolve and fast.

So Dover march on and the dream of only their second trip to the holy grail of the First Round Proper in 26 years is very much alive and they will await Monday’s draw with interest.

Dover Athletic: Lee Hook, Nicky Southall, Dean Hill, Jake Leberl, Olly Schulz, Sammy Moore (Jerahl Hughes 57), Jon Wallis, Tom Davis, Shaun Welford, Frannie Collin, Adam Birchall (Craig Rocastle, 71).
Subs: Lee Browning, James Rogers, Sam Gore, Danny Walder, John Whitehouse.

Goals: Olly Schulz 60, Jon Wallis 77

Booked: Jon Wallis 34

Welling United: Charlie Mitten, Lee Protheroe, Michael Deane (Andy Sambrook 84), Jack Parkinson, Steve King, Graeme Andrews, Steffan Gaisie (Jake Hobbs 68), Ryan Johnson, Adrian Stone, Tony Finn, Sam Hurrell (Lee Blackburn 74).
Subs: Matt Bennett, Tom Whitnell.

Booked: Sam Hurrell 59

Attendance: 1,042
Referee: Mr Robert Hyde
Assistants: Mr Maurice Cook & Mr Jim Pope

www.kentishfootball.co.uk would like to thank Matthew Gerrard - who was covering the game for BBC Radio Kent - for this match report