Welling United’s relegation from the Vanarama National League South has been confirmed following a 4-0 defeat to Maidstone United at Park View Road on Friday afternoon.
Goals either side of the break did the damage for the Wings as the Stones strengthened their play-off credentials with a convincing victory, condemning their opponents to the drop.
The hosts came agonisingly close to opening the scoring with just five minutes on the clock when Jez Davies swivelled nicely on the edge of the box before seeing his shot crash back off the woodwork and clawed away by Stones stopper Alexis Andre Jr.
But as the half wore on, the promotion-chasing visitors began to turn the screw – Jack Burchell made a good block from Charlie Seaman’s volley, before Rhys Lovett made a good save to keep Ruben Shakpoke’s shot out of the bottom left-hand corner.
It would not be long before Maidstone would get the opener, however, with Aaron Blair crashing home a finish into the roof of the net.
Welling looked to respond with Davies hitting the crossbar for the second time with another good-looking shot from the edge of the penalty area, but their efforts were hindered on the half-hour mark when Deon Moore was forced off with injury.
The Stones continued to push for a second and got it before the break, and it came via a set-piece as Temi Eweka powered home a header from a corner.
It would get worse for the Wings in the second half as the visitors made it three just six minutes after the restart as they capitalised on a Lovett error.
The goalkeeper’s attempted clearance resulted in a mis-kick, allowing Jacob Berkley-Agyepong the simple task of finishing into an empty net.
Three became four before the hour mark when the Stones were awarded a penalty after Lovett was adjudged to have fouled Berkley-Agyepong in the box, leaving Ben Brookes to step up and dispatch his spot-kick to put the game well and truly beyond the hosts.
The work will now begin for Welling to mount a challenge for an immediate return as they prepare for life in step three next season.
Welling United: Lovett, Bramble, Burchell, Di Trolio, Cornish, Davies (Ballard-McBride 73), Kennedy, Martin, Kamara, Moore (Redfearn 30), Kashket (Taylor-Crossdale 73).
Subs (not used): Briscoe.
Booked: Moore 13 (foul), Lovett 58 (foul)
Maidstone United: Andre Jr, Eweka, Brookes, Fowler, Higgs (Corne 74), Blair (Willis 82), Seaman, Kyprianou, Trusty, Shakpoke (Coulthirst 55), Berkley-Agyepong (Court 63).
Subs (not used): Holden.
Goals: Blair 18, Eweka 37, Berkley-Agyepong 51, Brookes 58 (pen)
Referee: Will Briers
Att: 1,173
