Wellington AFC

Toolstation League premier division: Brislington 2, Wellington 3.

WELLINGTON bounced back from three successive defeats with an impressive victory at Brislington yesterday.

Warren Patmore’s side dominated the first half only to fall behind after 20 minutes before Craig Mawford just before the break.

Brislington regained the lead early in the second half but Wellington hit back to take the points thanks to two goals from skipper Simon Ingram.

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

Toolstation League premier division: Bishop Sutton 3, Wellington 1.

WELLINGTON suffered their first league defeat under new manager Warren Patmore as they were beaten at Bishop Sutton yesterday.

Patmore’s side led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Scott Holland.

But Sutton hit back to score three times in an incident-packed second half to seal the points.

See Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette for the full exclusive match report.

FA Cup extra preliminary round: Wellington 1, Bideford 3.

WELLINGTON bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as they went down to Toolstation premier rivals Bideford on Saturday.

In a tie played at Elmore’s ground in Tiverton because Wellington Playing Field is still being used for cricket, Warren Patmore’s side could have few complaints about their first defeat under the new boss.

Although the first half was closely contested, it was Bideford – many people’s tip for the league championship this season – who created the best openings.

And striker Glen Johnson – their new signing from Calne Town – squandered the best of them as he shot wide of an open goal.

Wellington made them pay by taking the lead just before the break as Craig Herrod was tripped just inside the area and skipper Simon Ingram stepped up to coolly convert his second penalty in successive games.

Bideford got a roasting from their manager Sean Joyce at half-time and responded by equalising shortly after the break when poor defending allowed Matt Downing to poke home a lobbed cross.

By now, the visitors’ tails were up and they went ahead in controversial circumstances after 56 minutes when Herrod was harshly judged to have bundled over Clay Bond and Danny Harris scored from the penalty spot.

Patmore used all three subs and threw players forward in search of an equaliser to force a replay.

But Bideford always looked more dangerous going forward and they sealed the tie in the final minute when Kevin Squire’s knock-back was bundled home by Nick Barker.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Martin White, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Shane Kingston. Substitutes, Daniel Short, Ashley Baker and Luke Desave (used), Neil Vogwill and Warren Patmore (not used).

Attendance: 188.

Toolstation League premier division: Barnstaple Town 2, Wellington 2.

A PENALTY in the sixth minute of injury time salvaged a point for Wellington in North Devon last night.

Warren Patmore’s side were heading for defeat when Craig Herrod was tripped as he burst into the opponents’ box and skipper Simon Ingram stepped up to coolly slot home the spot-kick.

That brought a sight of relief for Wellington’s band of travelling supporters who had seen their side fall behind despite Barnstaple being reduced to ten men by the 70^th minute dismisal of midfielder Jamie Skinner.

Wellington bossed the first half and went ahead after ten minutes when Jack Adams’ headed clearance was cleverly flicked on by Shane Kingston for Aussie striker Darren Stone to run on and net.

But the visitors failed to increase their advantage and only went into the interval in front thanks to a double goalline clearance by defender Scott Holland.

Barnstaple stepped up a gear after the break and drew level after 58 minutes from a fierce low drive from Robert Gough.

Wellington’s cause was not helped when the lively Kingston limped out of the action but then Barnstaple’s Skinner was red carded for a vicious tackle on substitute Neil Vogwill.

Despite this setback, the home side went ahead five minutes later as striker Stan Paxton capitalised on an uncharacteristic slip by Adams to race clear and shoot past keeper Ryan Lewis.

They almost increased their lead when Jamie Frickleton’s shot was deflected on to the post by Lewis but then came Wellington’s late, late equaliser.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Ashley Baker, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Darren Stone. Substitutes, Neil Vogwill (used), Mark Burgess and Luke Desave (not used).

Attendance: 186.   

WELLINGTON’S next match is on Tuesday night when they travel to play Barnstaple in another league game.

Barnstaple have had a difficult close season but started the campaign with an impressive 2-2 draw away to champions Bitton yesterday.

On Saturday, Wellington entertain Bideford in an FA Cup tie which will be played at Elmore FC’s ground in Tiverton because the Playing Field is being used for cricket.

Toolstation League premier division: Welton Rovers 1, Wellington 3

WELLINGTON started life under new manager Warren Patmore with a cracking win away to Welton Rovers yesterday.

Already without unavailable captain Simon Ingram, Patmore was forced to re-shuffle his side when two players were delayed by a road accident.

And things went from bad to worse as they fell behind after only eight minutes with the ball being flicked over the top of the Wellington defence for Andrew Cotley to net.

A ding-dong start to the game saw both Shane Kingston and Darren Stone have close-range shots blocked for the visitors, James Billing of Welton have a “goal” disallowed for offside and then Wellington’s Jack Adams hit the post from a free kick.

But it was Wellington who scored a “route one” equaliser after 19 minutes as keeper Ryan Lewis’s clearance sent striker Shane Kingston racing away to cleverly clip the ball home.

Wellington looked more composed as the game wore on and they almost went ahead after 58 minutes when Kingston raced clear again but this time was denied by keeper Tristan Westlake.

Only two minutes later, the visitors took the lead as the ball was rolled to Adams – deputising for Ingram in midfield – and his blistering shot into the top corner left Westlake clutching at thin air.

Wellington substitute Mark Burgess almost put his side further ahead from a free-kick eight minutes from time before a dramatic climax to the match.

In the final minute of injury time, visiting keeper Ryan Lewis did just enough to take the sting out of a Chris Lewis shot with defender Craig Mawford clearing the ball off the line.

And, almost immediately, Wellington winger Craig Herrod pounced on some loose play, rounded a defender and scored with a low drive to seal the points.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Ashley Baker, Scott Holland, Martin White, Craig Mawford, Jon Crowford, Andy Butler, Jack Adams, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Shane Kingston. Substitutes, Mark Burgess, Luke Desave, Neil Vogwill (all used).

THE Wellington line-up included midfielder Andy Butler, who has decided to stay with the club instead of joining neighbours Taunton Town.