Welling United 1-1 Brackley Town (Welling won 4-3 on pens) Isuzu FA Trophy - 9th Dec 2023

Brackley exited the FA Trophy in a penalty shoot-out on a first ever trip to National league South Welling United. In echoes of the FA Cup defeat earlier in the season, Saints will rue missed chances and believe that they have passed up a fine opportunity to progress in a competition dear to supporters and the club.

Welling were rocked by the start made by the visitors. Dom McHale put his side ahead in only the 4th minute as Zak Lilly headed goal-wards from Tommy O’Sullivan’s corner kick finding McHale close to goal and finishing neatly. Reice Charles-Cook was peppered by shots on goal and under fire from no fewer than six corners in the opening minutes as Gavin Cowan’s side threatened to run away with it.

But Welling hung on and gradually gained a foothold in the game testing Danny Lewis for the first time on the half hour and twice going close on 39 minutes with Alex Gudger first blocking a goal-bound effort and Lewis pulling off a fine save point blank as the tables were turned.

The equaliser came with only seconds of the half remaining as Kain Adom’s fine run was halted only by conceding a free-kick. Tristan Abrahams’ superbly struck free-kick sent the sides in for the break level.

The second half started with Welling on the offensive and the Brackley rear-guard tested to the full. Both sides had the ball in the net but ruled out for off-side and both had chances to win it.

Tyler Lyttle’s cross flashed across the face of goal needing only a touch, Jake Jervis appeared to be brought down close to goal but not resulting in a penalty award and both Dom McHale and Layton Love were denied in a late goalmouth scramble. At the other end Josh Chambers’ splendid run and shot brought a good save from Lewis, another Chambers effort was dragged well wide as the chance opened up and Lachlan Byrd’s shot was pushed away by Lewis in a late charge by The Wings.

Substitute Love received a second yellow card in added time denying Brackley a certain penalty taker as, with no replays and no extra-time, the tie was settled in a penalty shoot-out. Welling missed while Morgan Roberts scored to give an early lead but two missed kicks for Brackley saw Welling through.

“It is extremely disappointing,” Cowan said. “We looked comfortable and got off to a fast start and should have been out of sight. But we made things difficult for ourselves by letting them back in it so credit to them. It can begin to sound like a broken record as we dominate, create chances but fail to convert. In the second half either team could have taken it but it went to penalties and on that you have to hit the target and on two occasions we didn’t.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Lilly, Gudger, Dean; Calder, Lyttle, Murombedzi, Jervis (Love 78), O’Sullivan; Roberts, McHale (Turner 81). Subs unused: Bates, Armson, Matwasa, Worby.

Welling: Charles-Cook, Green, Grant, Abrahams, Odusanya, Adom, Bramble, Orji, Tanga, Chambers, Byrd. Subs unused: Winterbottom, Sekajja, Papadopoulos, Howard, Kassarate, Kamara, Muwonge.

Referee: Emily Heaslip Assistants: Joseph Dann-Pye and Deryll David

Attendance: tba

Photo by: Dave Budden.