Wellington AFC

ANOTHER historic season for Wellington Football Club was celebrated at the annual dinner and dance.

Chairman Ken Bird told almost 90 guests that the first team had followed up winning the Toolstation League first division title in 2007-08 by finishing in seventh position in the premier.

And he paid tribute to the efforts of manager Leigh Robinson, assistant Wayne Hitchcott and all the players.

Mr Bird said that promotion had seen Wellington having to carry out a three-year ground improvement project in three months.

“That we achieved this and cleared all the bills by Christmas is testimony to a huge amount of work by a handful of people. This club will be forever in their debt.”

The reserves had endured a difficult season in the Devon and Exeter League’s premier division but the third team had marked joining the same league by lifting the Intermediate championship trophy.

Mr Bird said Wellington AFC was about much more than the first team, reserves and thirds.

“This season, we have run a record 14 youth teams, including three girls’ sides.

“We have also formed a youth fund-raising committee and next season will add to the tally by running an under-18s side.”

He said the club had developed at breakneck speed – and was continuing to do so.

The latest project – currently under way – would see £34,000 spent on virtually replacing the floodlights at the Playing Field.

Then the club planned to turn its attention to refurbishing the clubhouse lounge and adjoining function room, added Mr Bird.

Midfielder Andy Butler was named first-team players’ player of the season at the dinner.

The manager’s player award went to defender Craig Mawford while striker Shane Kingston collected the trophy for leading scorer.

The awards were presented by club president Alan Shire, who also handed over the Devon and Exeter League Intermediate championship trophy to third-team manager Dave Thomas and captain Jason Hawkings.

Other winners: Clubman of the year, Ken Bird; most improved player, Adam Jefferies; most promising young player; Mark Owen.

Reserve team players’ player, Craig Aspin; manager’s player, Nigel Letten; leading scorer, yet to be decided as one game still to play.

Third team players’ player, Dave Poulson; manager’s player, Darren Mace; leading scorer, Adam Jefferies.

Premier Division:
Melksham Town 4, Wellington 1
WELLINGTON ended an outstanding first season back in the Premier Division on a decidedly flat note with defeat in Wiltshire on Monday night.
Leigh Robinson’s side went into their final game knowing that victory would lift them into second place in the table. But, already decimated by injuries, they endured a torrid start to the night which saw them:

Held up on the motorway, which meant a delayed kick-off.

 Lose defender Andy  Robertson with an ankle injury after only ten minutes.

Fall behind to a goal from David Thompson a minute later.

Chances were rare in the first half but the game turned shortly after the interval as Wellington’s Luke Desave saw a cross fizz across the face of the Melksham goal with veteran Wayne Hitchcott just inches away from applying the finishing touch.
Almost immediately, Melksham broke upfield and – with keeper Ryan Lewis caught in no man’s land – Shaun Benison crossed for Thompson to make it 2-0. The Wiltshire side were now dominating proceedings and sealed the points with two more goals, scored by Benison and Jonnie Davoile.
To their credit, the visitors had the final say as defender Scott Holland headed home a Simon Ingram free-kick for their 87th league goal of the season, keeping Wellington at the top of the division’s scoring chart.
A memorable season ended with a night to forget …

Premier Division:
Wellington 1, Devizes Town 0
DESPITE having their squad wrecked by injuries, Wellington still ended their home campaign on a high by stretching their unbeaten run to five games last Saturday.
It took a solitary goal to see off a Devizes side, who were already relegated and who had been thumped 5-0 by Wellington on their own ground only two weeks earlier. Manager Leigh Robinson struggled to pull together enough fit players for even a starting 11 and had to employ his assistant Wayne Hitchcott as a makeshift striker.
Perhaps not surprisingly, his side looked completely flat during a dour first half which failed to produce a single opening. They upped the tempo after the break and almost went ahead from a trademark free-kick by skipper Simon Ingram, which hit the outside of the post.
The winning goal came after 66 minutes and was created by central defender Scott Holland, who burst forward and produced a defence splitting pass to release Craig Herrod to make no mistake.
Wellington were unable to increase their lead despite dominating proceedings and indeed were indebted to keeper Ryan Lewis for keeping out Robbie Mitchell’s goal-bound far-post header late on.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Andy Robertson, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Craig Mawford, Cameron Nott, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Luke Desave, Wayne Hitchcott. Subs: Shane Kingston, Jack Adams, Mark Thompson (not used).