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Welling dumped out of FA Cup

Whyteleafe 2 Welling 0

Dreadful Welling turned in another shocking performance as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by lower-league Whyteleafe on Wednesday.

Although the hosts settled the tie by scoring against the run of play midway through the second half, they deserved their second qualifying round replay win.

Whyteleafe's performance was full of passion and desire - qualities lacking in Welling's play. Skipper Rob Quinn, Chris Nurse and Orlando Smith were all axed from the side that drew 1-1 at home to Whyteleafe on Saturday.

It meant Ryan Johnson partnered Dorian Smith in a new-look midfield partnership while centre-back Graeme Andrews was strangely switched to right-back.

The game could have been so different had Welling been awarded an eighth-minute penalty. Joe Healy was fouled as he entered the penalty area but the assistant decided that the original offence outside the box warranted a free-kick.

That was the only noteable action of a lifeless first half. Welling produced their best football of the night straight after half-time.

Charlie Sheringham wasted four golden openings in the space of five minutes. Still apparently short of fitness, he twice took too long to get his shot away, was denied by the legs of Rob Tolfrey and then chipped straight at the home keeper after being sent clean through. Matt McEntegart somehow headed wide following Ryan Martin's cross and the misses came back to haunt the Wings.

With virtually their first attack of the half, Asher Hudson drove Whyteleafe into a 68th-minute lead. Slack marking from a long throw-in 15 minutes from time settled the tie as Sean Rivers headed in.

At the other end, Orlando Smith produced one bit of magic but again chose the wrong option at the end before going off injured in the move and Andrews headed weakly when left unmarked.

Only Johnson, who was replaced late on, came out of the game with any credit for the visitors and the Wings supporters will expect an immediate response from his team-mates this weekend.

It was only a month ago that Football League scouts were swarming around Park View Road. But some egos will be deflated by this FA Cup defeat and their reaction in the coming weeks will do more to shape their destiny than any interest from clubs at a higher level.

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