Stone’s late winner
Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 3, Calne Town 2.
WELLINGTON broke the 50-point barrier in their first season back in the premier division with a hard-earned victory over Calne Town at the Playing Field on Saturday.
But it took a late goal from Aussie striker Darren Stone to clinch the points and end a spirited fightback by the visitors from Wiltshire.
Wellington got off to a dream start with a goal of the highest quality after only seven minutes.
Daniel Short sent Stone racing away up the right and his low cross was cleverly turned back by skipper Simon Ingram for leading scorer Shane Kingston to drive low into the net.
Both sides created half-chances in a scrappy first half and it was Wellington who got the vital second goal eight minutes before the break.
This time, the roles were reversed as Kingston laid the ball back to Ingram who went for placement rather than power and coolly stroked home a low shot.
Disappointingly, rather than build on their lead, Wellington lost their way after the interval and Calne grew stronger as the game progressed.
They pulled a goal back after 73 minutes as Ben Fitch ran in unchallenged to head home a corner with Wellington appealing in vain for a foul.
And when substitute Gary Banks rose at the far post to equalise with another header, it looked like they had done enough to earn a point.
But with four minutes remaining, Ingram produced the pass of the game – a stunning through ball which saw Stone run on and fire first-time past keeper Jason Grubb for the winner.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Daniel Short, Andy Robertson, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Darren Stone. Substitutes, Matt Francis, Luke Desave and Andy Robertson (all used),
