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Plymouth Argyle 3 Welling United 1

Alex Dyer
Alex Dyer

Eight minutes of madness ended Welling's FA Cup hopes at League 2 Plymouth on Saturday.

The Wings never gave themselves a realistic chance of progressing after they trailed 3-0 inside the first 21 minutes.

There was a sign of things to come inside the first minute when referee Steve Bratt blew up to penalise Joe Healy for offside, even though he was put through by a Plymouth midfielder and the assistant kept his flag down. It proved to be that kind of infuriating afternoon for the Wings.

Plymouth went ahead on 13 minutes when Andres Gurrieri turned Jake Gallagher inside out and fired low into the far corner.

They doubled their lead five minutes later when Curtis Nelson scored from close range and then Lewis Alessandra headed in unmarked three minutes later with the Wings defence in disarray.

Welling gradually composed themselves and had enough chances to pull one back by the break. Baily Cargill worked his way down the left-wing but couldn't pick anyone out with his cross and then shot over from a 20-yard free-kick.

Plymouth had a great opening to add a fourth but Reuben Reid fluffed his lines in front of goal.

Clever footwork created a chance for Alex Dyer, Welling's stand-out performer, but keeper Jake Cole tipped his effort behind and then Dyer's jinking run took him into the box but his chip went over both Cole and the crossbar.

After the break, Dyer again drove forward unmarked but Ross Lafayette missed his kick in front of goal.

Welling finally did pull one back on 53 minutes when a slip by Plymouth centre-back Neal Trotman left Lafayette unmarked and, after much hesitation, he finally shot across Cole for his eighth goal of the campaign.

The dangerous Guthrie ran past two defenders before setting up Clarke, whose right-foot chip landed on the roof of the net before a major talking point came 21 minutes from time.

Dyer sent Guthrie clean through. As keeper Cole rushed out, Guthrie got to the bal first and saw his low shot saved by the keeper's body. Amazingly, referee Bratt gave a foul against Guthrie for his follow through and then cautioned the Wings winger. After a four-minute delay, Cole was replaced by Luke McCormack.

Plymouth's Jamie Reckord then clattered into Guthrie but received no booking and it was a clash of heads moments later that effectively meant Guthrie was a passenger in the closing stages.

Without his attacking threat, Welling lost their way somewhat. Although the returning Luis Cumbers - back in the first team after 16 months out with a knee injury - volleyed wide late on after coming on, and Blaine Hudson's header also failed to test the keeper.

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