Killer touch returns .. and how!
FA Carlsberg Vase Extra Preliminary Round: Ilfracombe 3, Wellington 7
WELLINGTON responded to manager Leigh Robinson’s call for more firepower with a seven-goal salvo in the FA Vase at Ilfracombe last Saturday.
Having failed to score in their previous two games, they thrashed their Toolstation premier rivals to earn £800 in prizemoney and an away tie at SW Peninsular League side Tavistock on September 20.
Despite missing three key players from their starting line-up – skipper Simon Ingram (hamstring), fellow midfielder Andy Robertson (unavailable) and striker Darren Stone (ankle), Wellington never looked back after a blistering start in a one-side contest.
They took the lead with what will surely be one of the quickest goals of the season, scored in only ten seconds as Craig Herrod pulled the ball back, Shane Kingston stepped over it and strike partner Aaron Deeks swept it home.
And things got even better after eight minutes when Deeks followed up his first goal for the club by making room for himself before curling a delightful shot over keeper Steve Oliver.
Ilfracombe, coached by former Wellington boss Dave Sheehan and with prolific striker Leon Taswell playing against his former club, pulled a goal back midway through the half when Ricky Marinario drilled home a free kick from the edge of the area.
But the visitors’ response was immediate as they scored three more times before the interval to virtually kill off the tie,
25 minutes – Defender Jack Adams produced an equally stunning free kick from more than 25 yards out.
42 minutes – The lively Kingston robbed a defender wide out and burst forward before sending over a cross, which was knocked home by Deeks to complete his hat-trick.
43 minutes – Jon Crowford was sent racing clear and his shot was thundered in off the underside of the bar by unfortunate Ilfracombe defender James Mayne.
There was still time for the home side to complete a remarkable half by making it 5-2 through Aiden Harper-Penman’s powerful drive and, even in stoppage time, Taswell lifted his only chance of the game over the bar.
It was hardly surprising that the second half was a more tame affair with Wellington increasing their lead as Marcus Vaughan, pushed up to deputise for Ingram in central midfield, scored from another Herrod pullback after 69 minutes.
To their credit, Ilfracombe refused to lie down and pulled another goal back in the 78th minute as keeper Ryan Lewis failed to deal with a through ball and let in Mark Clunie to net.
But Wellington had the final say in the last minute, Kingston capping his best display on the season with a lightning turn and finish past Oliver.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Marcus Vaughan, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Aaron Deeks. Substitutes, Simon Ingram, Matt Naylor, Steve Perkins (all used).
