WELLAND booked a place in the semi-final of the Cheltenham Association League Junior Charities Cup with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Southside Reserves at Malvern's Dyson Perrins Academy.

Omar Elmougy grabbed a late double following goals from James Lush and Ben Pearson.

The match began in tricky conditions with a fierce cross-wind making it difficult for both sides to get a hold of the game.

Early chances fell to Lush and Elmougy, whose strikes were both well saved, before Pearson and Tim Lewis saw their efforts go wide of the post.

At the other end, Welland keeper Niall Hacking was rarely troubled and off-target attempts were as close as the visitors came in a goalless first period.

With the wind still strong and the rain coming down, the second-half was just as tricky as the first but Welland began with a lot more intent.

They remained patient in attack and were rewarded when Lush created some space on the edge of the area for himself to fire the opening goal into the bottom corner.

Moments later, the lead was doubled when good work down the left resulted in Elmougy crossing for Pearson to nod home from six yards.

Welland were relaxed and took their foot off the gas for a period midway through the half, allowing Southside to counter and finish well following a right-wing cross.

However, this gave Welland a scare and they had to pick it up instantly , scoring soon after when Elmougy lashed home a third following a powerful run.

Elmougy completed the scoring with his second after a smart through-ball from Andy Brannelly.

Third-placed Welland host fellow high-fliers Gala Wilton thirds in Division Three tomorrow (3pm), weather permitting.