Any hope of Welling United avoiding the wooden spoon were dashed by a lacklustre performance at home to Boreham Wood.
When they won at Tranmere Rovers there was an outside chance of them staying up. But no points out of twelve against four teams, which included three trouncings, left them rock bottom.
Although they lost more than they won, they were competitive for most of the season, but the last four games, against teams that have offered little more over the course of the 46 matches, were truly woeful.
It was clear, early on, that only one team really wanted to win.
Luke Howell, a one time Welling player, got over excited when a ball that had twice come back off the woodwork and fired over from inside the penalty area.
Mike McEntegart then made a spectacular save to thwart Harry White.
Nortei Nortey headed off the line before Boreham Wood went ahead. Almost inevitably, it was a free gift for the visitors. A long pump forward should have caused no problems but Kevin Lokko and McEntegart both went for it and the former’s header rolled into the net.
Kadell Daniel whipped in a free kick for Welling that needed the slightest of touches by Victor Caicedo but James Russell watched well and made an excellent save.
That was to prove as good as it would get for Welling as soon after the visitors doubled their lead. Once again, Howell had the opportunity and this time showed far greater composure when curling inside the far post.
In the second half Michael Chambers headed off the line before Clovis Kamdjo added a third when heading home on the hour mark.
After that, the visitors were happy to see out time out without being stretched unduly.
When the final whistle sounded, Welling were left to contemplate their first ever bottom placed finish and only their second ever relegation.
Caretaker manager Mark Goldberg was keen to look at the longer term after the game. “The last two games have been not so much about the results. It’s more about what we learn about the players, about their characters, about how we build the foundations for the future so that we can build a team that’s capable next year, built around the core players that have earned the right to be part of it next year.
“We will be looking to at least challenge next year. I also would say that we need to get the off the field facilities in place so that next time when we do see ourselves again in the National League, and I say when, we will do it with the right infrastructure in place, with revenue streams, hopefully, that allow us to have a sustainable future in the National League, and hopefully to progress further.”
There have been suggestions that he would be involved in a Director of Football type role next season, but Goldberg was keen to clarify that he will be the manager in the dugout.
“I need to get a team that I believe in and part of my experience and skill set is in recruiting players and building the foundations of the right team. Then, because they’re my players who I’ve recruited, I believe that I’ve still got a lot to offer in driving them forward and working with a good coach, as long as I believe that I can do that job, I’ll continue to do it.”
Welling United: McEntegart, Gayle (Williams 53), Lee, Kargbo, Chambers, Lokko, Porter, Nortey (Taylor 67), Caicedo (Saggers 46), Corne, Daniel.
Unused substitutes: Wanadio, Kabba.
Goalscorers: None
Yellow cards: None
Boreham Wood: Russell, Nunn, Reynolds, Howell (Morias 83), Doe, Devera, C. Clifford, Kamdjo, Sam-Yorke (Haynes 78), White (Lucas 73), Shakes.
Unused substitutes: Cox, B. Clifford.
Goalscorers: Lokko o.g. (31), Howell (41), Kamdjo (61).
Yellow cards: None
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Assistants: Daniel Cook & Gary Jerden
4th Official: Neil Morrison
Attendance: 577
Welling star man: Michael Chambers
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.