Delighted Dover march on in Cup
Published: 00:00, 17 October 2002
Welling United 1 Dover Athletic 3
POLISHED and professional Dover finally put Kent rivals Welling to the sword in Tuesday's FA Cup, third qualifying round, replay to set up a plum home clash with Woking on Saturday week.
Dover banked a lifeline £10,000 into the bargain for their progress to the fourth qualifying round.
As in Saturday's 2-2 nailbiter, Welling drew first blood. Gangly French striker Raphael Nade eluded the Dover defence to let in Dave Powell who struck a rebound clinically beyond the reach of keeper Paul Hyde from the edge of the box.
But Dover struck a psychological blow bang on half-time, through Day. Dent made it 2-1 10 mintes after the break.
Then came a double penalty drama that ultimately eased the tension among the travelling faithful. Lee Spiller was upended in the box on 70 minutes, but Matt Carruthers' rush-job spot-kick screamed high over the Welling bar.
Barely two minutes passed, however, when a copycat incident saw keeper Glen Knight narrowly escape marching orders after tripping Glover.
This time, Spiller coolly slotted home the third goal to prompt wild celebrations among Dover players and fans to lift an October night's gloom.
Dover: Hyde, Browne, Humphrey, Norman, Arnott, Dyer, Day, Spiller, Glover, Dent, Carruthers. Subs: Godden, James, Tyne, Sykes, Williams.
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KentOnline reporter