Day delighted to take advantage into home leg

Blue Square South promotion chasers Welling United took a giant step towards the play-off final after securing a hard fought 2-1 away victory at Sutton in the first leg.

Player-manager Jamie Day praised his side post match and believes taking a lead into Sunday’s second leg, gives the Wings a great chance of reaching the final.

Speaking to the Club’s website Day said: “The boys have done exceptionally well, a good first half performance and we defended very well in the second half. We’re pleased to take a 2-1 lead into Sunday’s game.”

The visitor’s took a deserved first half lead through Lee Clarke’s header and Day feels Welling’s quick start was critical in claiming a first leg advantage.

Day continued: “We had a very good start we knew that would be vital. We got a deserved goal and remained in control.”

Sutton hit back in the second period and grabbed an equaliser through midfielder Craig Watkins.

But a quick-fire response from the Wings took the wind out of the hosts’ sails as Joe Healy’s well taken goal restored their advantage.

Day added: “As you would expect from a team playing at home they (Sutton) had a right good go and got themselves a goal. But credit to the boys they responded really well and got a goal back which killed the game off a little bit."

On reflection, the Kent-based club deserved their win and Day admits that his side set out to claim victory right from the outset.

He said: “We came here to get a win, both teams are under no pressure. Sutton have done exceptionally well and deserve to be in the play-offs. We just missed out last year and we’ve done excellently well this year, so we said to them go and enjoy it.”

Sutton travel to Park View Road on Sunday looking to become just the second team this season to beat the Wings on their own patch, but Day is confident his side can continue their remarkable form at home and progress to the final.

He concluded: “We’ve done very well at home this season. We will go into Sunday’s game looking to win it again and I’m confident the boys can do that.”

Welling are potentially 90 minutes away from the Blue Square bet South play-off final and a date with either Basingstoke Town or Dartford. The Darts hold a 1-0 lead going into the second leg at Princes Park.