Nine games unbeaten!!
AFTER six successive wins, Wellington had to settle from a draw from their two homes games over the Christmas weekend.
And in both cases the result – 1-1 with Almondsbury on Saturday and 2-2 with Bridport on Boxing Day, was fair as Kevin Evans’ side gave disappointing second-half displays.
But at least the draws extended Wellington’s unbeaten run to an impressive nine matches, eight of them in the league to help them climb up the first division table.
The Bridport game was a ding-dong affair with precious little Christmas spirit shown by either side.
Wellington created the better openings in the first half but had to wait until the 34th minute to take the lead thanks to a superb piece of opportunism by skipper Nick Woon.
There seemed no threat as the home side gave away possession from a quickly taken throw but the experienced striker nipped in between a defender and keeper to score from a near-impossible angle.
It was Woon’s 13th goal of another impressive season and atoned for his post-match dismissal against Almondsbury just a few days earlier.
Home fans must have hoped the goal would have set up another Wellington win but Bridport were the better side after the break.
They drew level from the penalty spot through John Ritchie after 55 minutes as Daniel Short was judged to have brought down ex-Taunton Town player Martin Underhay.
And they went close on several other occasions before Wellington got back in front in controversial circumstances after 78 minutes as a Simon Ingram corner was diverted on to the post by Woon and keeper Martin Peters was judged to have carried the rebound over the line.
The decision incensed Bridport, who had to wait until two minutes from time to get back on level terms when Wellington allowed a corner to drop in their area and Ritchie volleyed home from close range.
It was a similar story against Almondsbury on Saturday as Wellington got off to a flying start with Woon again giving them the lead with a goal out of nothing.
The skipper had his back to goal a long way out but swivelled to send spectacular dipping shot into the net.
Almondsbury almost equalised when Russell Church headed wide with the goal at his mercy while Woon headed a corner against the post at the other end.
The visitors started the second half brightly and drew level after 56 minutes with a well-worked move ending with a fine header by Daniel Cockram.
Both sides pressed in vain for the winner and the game had an explosive end as the usually-placid Woon received a red card when the players were leaving the pitch for comments he made to the referee.
Wellington (v Almondsbury): Locke, Elsley, Baggaley, Short, Markham, Blenkinsop, Butler, Mawford, Herrod, Holland, Woon. Substitutes, Ingram (used), Honeywell (not used).
Wellington (v Bridport): Locke, Elsley, Holland, Short, Markham, Blenkinsop, Butler, Ingram, Herrod, Mawford, Woon. Substitutes, Legg (used), Honeywell (not used).
