Welling captain Lee Clarke lifts the Blue Square Bet South trophy and below, player-boss Jamie Day with the silverware
Pictures: Keith Gillard

By Matthew Panting

Welling completed the Blue Square Bet South season undefeated at home on Saturday - and then got the party started.

The final home game of the season was almost an unavoidable sideshow before the main event as the Wings were presented with the league title after the game.

But Jamie Day's all-conquering squad broke another club record by avoiding defeat as they became the first Welling side to go through an entire league season without losing on home soil.

After Eastleigh graciously provided a guard of honour, the game itself was largely subdued despite a bumper 1,522 crowd.

Welling went ahead on 12 minutes when Kiernan Hughes-Mason set up Kurtis Guthrie, whose first touch set him up nicely for a left-foot volley that went in at the near post. It was Guthrie's fourth goal for the Wings - with all four goals going in at the road end.

With Eastleigh already assured of a play-off spot, neither team were going at full pace but that did not stop referee Nigel Lugg trying to steal the show and he brandished a total of seven yellow cards in a game that hardly contained a dirty tackle.

Welling boss Jamie Day, not involved to avoid picking up a three-match ban which he would have collected if he was booked, opted to give Ross Lafayette and Joe Healy the chance to enjoy a standing ovation by substituting them in the second half.

Eastleigh equalised with seven minutes left when Wings keeper Sam Mott turned Dale Binns' shot onto the bar and Craig McAllister tucked in the equaliser. It meant little to the hosts but it did see Eastleigh paired with Dover in the play-off semi-finals rather than Chelmsford.

Welling had a great opportunity to start the party early when Guthrie collected Andy Forbes' ill-judged backpass in the final minute. But he hesitated too long and his chip went straight to keeper Jack Dovey.

After the final whistle, Welling captain Lee Clarke was presented with the trophy by Alan Alger from outgoing league sponsors Blue Square.

Lafayette was named player-of-the-year later in the evening, ahead of Healy with Mott and Anthony Acheampong joint-third. Lafayette's goal at Chelmsford in August was voted goal of the season and he completed the hat-trick by scooping the players' player award.