Wellington AFC

AFTER a 3-0 victory at Hengrove on Saturday virtually assured Wellington of the Toolstation League division one title, we can look forward celebrating the success.

We need just one point from our final two games – at Minehead on Wednesday (kick off 6.30pm) and at Shepton Mallet on Saturday.

And our goal difference is so superior to that of Sherborne and Larkhall, that even two defeats should see us still lifting the title.

To mark the end of our campaign, we are planning to run a coach to Shepton Mallet – to book your seat ring 01823-661697 (after 4pm).

The Wellington scorers against Hengrove were Jon Crowford, Dan Short and Craig Mawford.

For a full match report, see this Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.

WELLINGTON are pressing ahead with improvements to the Playing Field facilities to bring them up to premier division standard.

Plans include a 100-seater stand and fencing off the open side of the ground on match days.

“We had another meeting with Toolstation League and FA officials at the club last week and they were very pleased with our progress,” said chairman Ken Bird.

“As far as we are concerned once the work is granted planning permission from Taunton Deane Council, it’s all systems go.”

Toolstation League Division 1: Roman Glass St George 2, Wellington 8

WELLINGTON are just two wins from the title after thumping league newcomers Roman Glass St George in Bristol last Saturday.

With the wind and rain at their backs, Wellington dominated from the kick-off although there was an element of luck about their opening goal in the 34th minute as Jon Crowford’s corner was diverted into the net off Nick Woon’s hip.

His second three minutes later was more clinical, a neat finish from Craig Herrod’s low cross.

But St George stunned the visitors by pulling a goal back after 40 minutes with a fine shot by Kevin Williams, which gave keeper Ryan Lewis no chance.

Wellington restored their two-goal advantage before the break when a perfect pass out of defence by Daniel Short sent Alex Pounde racing clear to round keeper Tristan Ferguson.

And they then made it 4-1 only 25 seconds into the second half as a well-worked move ended with Woon completing his hat-trick by turning home Crowford’s low cross.

St George clawed another goal back when Daniel Short was harshly judged to have handled in the area and Dan Aldridge coolly dispatched the resulting penalty.

But the visitors again hit back immediately from the restart without the home side touching the ball as Pounde’s fine run ended with Woon lifting the ball impeccably over Ferguson.

By now, Wellington had St George chasing shadows and ran in three more goals without reply.

57 minutes – defender Jack Adams found Simon Ingram in space to drive home from the edge of the area.

79 minutes – Pounde pounced on a bad back-pass to fire home his second.

89 minutes – A long ball from Pounde found substitute Alex Rudd to control and net with an angled shot.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Andy Butler, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Danny Cockram, Craig Herrod, Alex Pounde, Nick Woon. Substitutes, Alex Rudd, Craig Mawford, Dan Boere (all used).

Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 4, Almondsbury 2.

WELLINGTON moved to within two points of leaders Sherborne with two games in hand after victory at home to Almondsbury in a replayed match last night (Wednesday).

The hosts took the lead after 20 minutes when Dan Short rose to head home a corner.

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Welington appeared to have put the game beyond lowly Almondsbury with two goals in a minute on the stroke of half-time.

First, Simon Ingram’s free-kick was headed on by Dan Boere for Nick Woon fire home on the turn. Then, a fine pass from Ingram found Ali Pounde who ran on to drill home.

However, Almondsbury stunned Wellington by scoring twice in the first seven minutes of the second half.

Robert Warren got behind the defence to lob Ryan Lewis and Jon Adams capitalised on some poor defending to make it 3-2.

But Wellington secured the points with a fourth goal ten minutes from time when a scramble led to Danny Cockram shooting home through a crowd of players.

In original game last month, the referee blew the full time whistle five minutes early in bad weather with Wellington leading 5-1. He said the result would stand, but the league ruled it had to be replayed.

Wellington are away to Roman Glass St George on Saturday.

Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 4, Almondsbury 2.

WELLINGTON moved to within two points of leaders Sherborne with two games in hand after victory at home to Almondsbury in a replayed match last night (Wednesday).

The hosts took the lead after 20 minutes when Dan Short rose to head home a corner.

Welington appeared to have put the game beyond lowly Almondsbury with two goals in a minute on the stroke of half-time.

First, Simon Ingram’s free-kick was headed on by Dan Boere for Nick Woon fire home on the turn. Then, a fine pass from Ingram found Ali Pounde who ran on to drill home.

However, Almondsbury stunned Wellington by scoring twice in the first seven minutes of the second half.

Robert Warren got behind the defence to lob Ryan Lewis and Jon Adams capitalised on some poor defending to make it 3-2.

But Wellington secured the points with a fourth goal ten minutes from time when a scramble led to Danny Cockram shooting home through a crowd of players.

In original game last month, the referee blew the full time whistle five minutes early in bad weather with Wellington leading 5-1. He said the result would stand, but the league ruled it had to be replayed.

Wellington are away to Roman Glass St George on Saturday.

Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 0, Shrewton United 1

WELLINGTON’S title hopes suffered a setback as they were beaten by Shrewton United in an incident-packed game at the Playing Field last Saturday.

It was a bad day at the office for Leigh Robinson’s side, who did everything but score in the second half as they pummelled the Shrewton goal.

They had more of the play before the break without creating a clear-cut opening and it was the Wiltshire visitors who nearly went ahead in the 37th minute as Jesse Walters was sent racing clear but shot across the face of goal.

Wellington clearly didn’t heed that warning and conceded what was to prove to be the only goal of the match shortly afterwards.

A disputed throw-in in front of the home dugout led to Dean Foot crossing for Craig Lewis to volley home. That was to prove to be the first of a string of controversial moments, which marred the game.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Walters was sent racing clear again only for keeper Ryan Lewis to dive at his feet and grab the ball off him. The referee took nearly everyone on the ground by surprise as he ruled that Lewis had committed a foul and pointed to the spot – with both the keeper and team-mate Daniel Short booked for protesting.

But Wellington felt justice was done when Foot’s spot kick cannoned back off the upright and to safety.

That incident lit the blue touchpaper and almost immediately the game took an ugly turn as a tackle by Wellington’s Danny Cockram provoked a mass brawl which ended with red cards for both Cockram and Shrewton skipper Michael Brownless.

With both sides reduced to ten men, Wellington took the game to Shrewton and created chance after chance.

Both Alex Pounde and substitute Shane Kingston saw shots hit the post, defender Scott Holland had a header cleared off the line in injury time and there were a number of other openings. It was just one of those days …

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Andy Butler, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Danny Cockram, Craig Herrod, Alex Pounde, Nick Woon. Subs: Shane Kingston and Dan Boere (used), Kenzie Farnham (not used).

A PLAN to build a 100-seater spectator stand at Wellington Football Club won support from town councillors on Monday evening.

Wellington Town Council’s planning committee unanimously passed a motion backing the scheme, which will also see a metal sheet perimeter barrier put up on match days and taken down afterwards.

The club is currently in second place in the Toolstation Western Football League First Division and is on course for promotion to the Premier Division.

If promoted, the club has to upgrade its ground and facilities to meet strict FA standards and is attempting to meet a June 7 deadline.

Afterwards, club chairman Ken Bird said: “We’re delighted to have cleared this first hurdle and would like to thank our town councillors for their support.

“It’s a tight deadline but we’re doing everything we can to ensure we provide premier division football in Wellington next season.”

Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 5, Bradford Town 1.

WELLINGTON swept aside Bradford Town with another five-goal haul at the Playing Field last Saturday.

After Craig Herrod had gone twice close, it was the winger who opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he finished off a flowing move with a crashing volley for his side’s 100th league goal of the season.

Wellington then scored twice in two minutes as Nick Woon headed home a Craig Mawford corner and then a tantalising cross by full-back Jack Adams floated into the net at the far post.

The three goals virtually sealed the game as a contest although, to their credit, Bradford refused to lie down and gave themselves a lifeline just before half-time when a looping cross from the left was headed home by skipper Jerad O’Pray.

Wellington lost Mawford at half-time with a recurrence of his hamstring injury but they refused to let that stop them getting back into their stride immediately after the break with two more quick goals to seal the points.

Both came from crosses by Jon Crowford, who had a fine game on the right, with the first being turned home by Woon.

And in a virtually identical move shortly afterwards, Woon’s shot this time cannoned back off the underside of the bar for skipper Simon Ingram to drill home.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Alex Pounde, Nick Woon. Subs: Danny Cockram, Dan Boere and Shane Kingston (all used).