Wellington AFC

THE long-awaited clash between the two favourites for promotion to the Toolstation League’s premier division ended in a 0-0 stalemate before the biggest crowd of the season at the Playing Field on Saturday.

As a spectacle, the game failed to live up to expectations with few chances created as the two sides cancelled each other out in virtually every department.

Sherborne started brightly but Wellington got into their stride and Alex Pounde, who always looked lively up front, twice went close with shots after jinking runs.

But it was the visitors who had the best chance of the first half after 42 minutes as Wellington failed to cut out a through ball and Andy Martin raced clear only to blast his shot wide.

The home start began the second half confidently and almost broke the deadlock twice within a few minutes.

First, Nick Woon played in Pounde, who took the ball wide of keeper James Smith but saw his angled shot clip the post.

Then Woon was the provider again, this time setting up Craig Herrod, whose shot was saved by the legs of Smith.
After that, the game fizzled out as both sides nervously struggled to play with any cohesion.

Sherborne almost snatched an 71st minute winner as a free kick was nodded down to Steve MacDaid but he fired wide of the target.

Wellington: Stuart Wood, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Dan Short, Mark Branton, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Subs: Shane Kingston and Jack Adams (both used), Alex Rudd (not used).