By Jack Mayo-Evans
Wellington FC welcomed Herefordshire Premier League side New Dales Vale to The Kensal Ground on a cold Tuesday evening in the HFA County Challenge Cup Quarter Final on Tuesday evening.
The game started off slowly with a lack of clear-cut chances. The home side started to grow into the game and dominated possession.
In the 21st minute, Sam Griffiths capitalised on a defensive error to lift the ball over the New Dales keeper, to put hosts 1-0 up.
Wellington pushed to double their lead, until New Dales winger Leo Pinches scored a wonderful long range effort from inside his own half to get the away side back level at 1-1.
As New Dales grew in confidence, Wellington keeper Jack Oxenham pulled off some great saves to prevent the away side going ahead.
Half Time – Wellington 1-1 New Dales Vale
In the 66th minute a floated free kick bounced in the Wellington box, before being calmly dispatched by Connor Baker to put New Dales 2-1 up.
With the game becoming end to end, both sides had plenty of chances and after a chaotic finish where Wellington threw numbers forward to try and push the game to penalties, it was the away side who held out to progress into the semi finals.
In the next round, New Dales Vale will either play:
AFC Kempsey, who beat Hereford FC on Monday evening 7-2.
Or the winner of:
Alcester Town vs Hereford Pegasus
Westfields vs. Welland
