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Welling United 0 Sutton United 0 (Welling won 2-1 on aggregate)

Jack Parkinson
Jack Parkinson

By Matthew Panting

Welling set up an all-Kent Blue Square Bet South play-off final after knocking out Sutton on Sunday.

The Wings progressed courtesy of their 2-1 first-leg advantage as the teams played out a tense goalless draw at Park View Road.

Whether it was knowing that they held that lead or not, Welling looked surprisingly nervous in the opening half-hour. Sutton had all the chances, the clearest falling to Romone McCrae, who beat the offside trap but then saw his effort cleared by Ben Martin after keeper Craig Holloway produced a smart stop.

Welling came into the game as Joe Healy won possession and set up Luis Cumbers, whose cross-shot went across the face of goal before Loui Fazakerley's fizzing 20-yard drive was saved by cuddly keeper Wayne Shaw.

After the break, Martin sent Fazakerley clear down the right-wing but he dragged his shot wide instead of handing Loick Pires a tap-in while Cumbers then beat the offside and did pick out Pires, whose diving header was brilliantly stopped by Shaw, who rolled back the years with a stunning stop.

Just after the hour, Holloway beat away Craig Watkins' powerful drive and Tony Taggart's rebound was diverted wide by Jack Obersteller.

Sutton forced a series of corners but their ball in lacked sufficient quality at times as Welling defended their penalty area well while Devon-based referee Brett Huxtable also emerged with credit for one of the better displays at Park View Road this term.

As an attacking force, Welling never really got going as too many passes went astray. But it was defensively where they excelled as man-of-the-match Martin and skipper Jack Parkinson (pictured) rallied the troops, including a dramatic injury-time double block as Sutton tried to force extra-time.

The Wings will now welcome back midfielder Lee Clarke as they head to Princes Park for Sunday's final.

Did Welling deserve to make it through to the final? Have your say using our comments section below.

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