Welling's Kurtis Guthrie puts his team ahead against Weston-super-Mare on Saturday Pictures: Keith Gillard

By Matthew Panting

Champions-elect Welling moved to within a point of the Blue Square Bet South title on Saturday with a comprehensive win over play-off hopefuls Weston.

Striker Kurtis Guthrie finally broke his goal duck for the Wings - and he did so in style by scoring an 18-minute first-half hat-trick.

Welling started brightly and quickly adopted a shoot on sight policy with player/boss Jamie Day, Ross Lafayette and Guthrie calling keeper Lewis Carey into action.

Ashley Kington threatened at the other end but the result was never in doubt once Guthrie broke the deadlock on 22 minutes. Fraser Franks' throw-in set up leading scorer Lafayette down the right wing and his first time cross was headed in at the near post by Guthrie.

Ben Martin's close-range shot was deflected wide before Guthrie added his second on 26 minutes. Cutting inside James Price, who had a torrid first half with Guthrie in full flow, he unleashed a powerful right-foot shot that beat Carey at his near post.

Minutes later, Lee Clarke should have added a third but Carey spread himself well to block his close-range effort after Lafayette nodded down Jake Reid's cross.

Reid and Gallagher then combined to set up Guthrie who fired over from the edge of the area while Weston were denied a certain goal when Anthony Acheampong blocked Brett Trowbridge's shot and Chas Hemmings' cross went across the face of goal with noone in support.

Guthrie completed his hat-trick five minutes before the break when Lafayette's cross picked him out in the area and his close-range header crossed the line despite the best efforts of Carey and a defender.

The Wings had 10 attempts at goal in the first half and, with the job virtually done, they sat back after the break content not to let the visitors back into the contest.

Kington was substituted not long after a crude foul on Day which earned him a booking while Guthrie and Reid both went close to adding to Welling's tally.

The fourth goal arrived 15 minutes from time, Joe Healy and Lafayette combining with the latter's low cross turned in by Reid.

Welling rested Lafayette and Day in the closing stages but it was an error from Ben Martin that let in Weston for a stoppage-time consolation. Ross Stearn took advantage to cross for substitute Pete Monks to slot in.

Welling travel to Boreham Wood knowing that a point will seal the title.

Welling's Scott Kinch shows off a limited edition t-shirt after Kurtis Guthrie finally scored his first goal for the club on Saturday while, above, Guthrie celebrates his third goal with assistant manager Barry Ashby