Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON made it eight successive wins as they beat bottom club Elmore 4-1 in Tiverton on Boxing Day.

But the division one leaders had to recover after a poor first half display to notch up the points.

Once again, skipper Simon Ingram was in the goals, hitting a second successive hat-trick to make it 22 for the season.

Two of his strikes came from the spot and another after his penalty was saved and he followed up to score.

Another boost for Wellington was the news that title rivals Sherborne were beaten by Bridport.

The game got off to an exciting start with Wellington’s Craig Mawford heading off the line. From their first attack, in the second minute, Alex Pounde was brought down and Ingram netted from the spot.

Elmore, who belied their lowly league position, then got on top and equalised after 20 minutes when the ball was chipped over the defence and Brett Worby fired home first time.

Wellington boss Leigh Robinson reacted to the poor first half showing by make a double substitution with Shane Kingston and Dan Boere coming on for Andy Butler and Craig Mawford.

And the second half was one-way traffic with Wellington clinching the points with two goals in as many minutes midway through the half.

After 70 minutes, Craig Herrod was felled in the box. Ingram’s kick was saved but he followed up to score. Then, Nick Woon scored the goal of the game with a spectacular volley from long range to make it 3-1.

Wellington sewed up the points five minutes from time when Nano Short was fouled in the area and Ingram completed his hat-trick.

Wellington: Scott Wells-Burr, Graham Burne, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Nano Short, Craig Mawford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Subs: Dan Boere, Shane Kingston, Tim Legg (all used).

WELLINGTON are home to Longwell Green in a league game tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

IT’S top v bottom on Boxing Day when Wellington travel to Tiverton to take on struggling Elmore with a 12.30pm kick-off.

The Wellington squad will include Nathaniel Short, who is home from America for Christmas and the New Year.

Short’s international clearance was obtained in time for Saturday’s match at Shrewton, but unfortunately it then fell victim to a frozen pitch.

Meanwhile, the reserves maintained their title challenge in the Devon and Exeter premier with a fine 2-1 win at home to Clyst Valley on Saturday.

John Norman’s side trailed at half-time but hit back after the break with a penalty from Craig Aspin and a headed winner from Tim Legg.

WELLINGTON have beaten Southern League neighbours Taunton Town to the signature of highly-rated Nathaniel Short, who is home for Christmas from the USA.

‘Nano’ – whose brother Daniel plays in central defence for Wellington – coaches in the States.

He had been expected to join Taunton for the Christmas and New Year period but signed Western League forms last night (Wednesday).

Wellington are now trying to ensure his international clearance comes through quickly so that he can be part of the squad for the long trip to Shrewton on Saturday.

After that, Wellington are away to Elmore on Boxing Day (12.30pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, Sherborne Town suffered a shock defeat away to Clevedon United last night which has used up one of their games in hand on leaders Wellington.

In other local football news, Taunton Town have appointed Ian Jones as their new manager.

He succeeds Wellington-based Gary Damone, who resigned at the weekend citing personal reasons.

Toolstation League division one: Wellington 5, Clevedon United 1

RAMPANT Wellington made it seven wins on the bounce as they demolished Clevedon United at the Playing Field last Saturday.

Manager Leigh Robinson collected his second Manager of the Month award before the game and, if his table toppers continue their form over Christmas, he should make it three in December.

Another person celebrating a treble is skipper Simon Ingram, who scored a hat-trick against Clevedon United to take his total for the season to 19 goals – a remarkable tally from midfield.

Wellington got off to a blistering start with two goals in the first 15 minutes, Andy Butler putting them ahead with a rasping drive before Ingram produced a delightful curler.

But the home side went off the boil after that and Clevedon almost clawed their way back into the game when Nick Lee beat keeper Scott Wells-Burr but defender Jack Adams produced an excellent goalline clearance.

Although Clevedon had appeals for a penalty turned down after the break, there was only really one side in it as Wellington ran in three more goals.

Nick Woon made it 3-0 from close range after keeper Mark Selway could only parry an Ingram shot with the visitors appealing in vain for offside.

And Woon then turned provider as he set up Ingram to fire home his second of the game after 70 minutes.

The striker was again at the centre of the action three minutes later when he was brought down in the penalty area by Andy Woodland and Ingram completed his treble from the spot.

Robinson could even afford to substitute his skipper after that although Clevedon did pull back a consolation goal as Craig Knight headed home a corner.

Wellington: Scott Wells-Burr, Tim Legg, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jack Adams, Craig Mawford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Substitutes, Shane Kingston, Danial Boere and Adam Manley (all used).

THE Playing Field pitch failed to survive a 9am pitch inspection and so today’s game against Shepton Mallet has been called off.

The reserve team and third team games have also fallen victim to the weather.

But if you are looking for entertainment today, then come along to the club tonight.

We are staging Family Reindeer Racing with free admission and the first race at 8.15pm.

THIS week’s heavy rain has put the weekend fixtures in doubt for all three senior sides.

The Playing Field will be subject to a pitch inspection on the morning of the first team’s scheduled game against Shepton Mallet.

To find out whether the match is going ahead, call the clubhouse on 01823-664810 after 1pm.

Toolstation League Division One Backwell United 1, Wellington 6

LEIGH Robinson celebrated his second Manager of the Month award by watching his rampant side steamroller struggling Backwell on Saturday.

Wellington, who won the first game between the sides 8-1 in October, recorded their sixth successive victory at a canter and despite dreadful conditions.

Robinson had only to look on and admire as his team tore into the opponents from the kick-off, scoring five times before half-time, with striker Nick Woon bagging four of them.

Skipper Simon Ingram was the other first-half scorer with his 16th goal of the season while Alex Pounde added the sixth in the second half.

Full report in Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.