Late drama against champs
Toolstation League Premier Division: Wellington 2, Bitton 2
WELLINGTON stretched their unbeaten run to four games and continued their climb away from the bottom of the table when they drew at home to champions Bitton last Saturday.
But they will view it as two points dropped rather than one gained as a dramatic finale saw both sides score in injury time with the visitors hitting back to share the spoils.
On a dreadfully heavy Playing Field pitch, which survived a morning inspection, Wellington continued their good form by bossing the first half.
They took the lead after 29 minutes when Craig Mawford surged forward from the right and cut inside, only to be tripped by Bitton’s Jack Welling.
With skipper Simon Ingram again sidelined by injury, Mawford’s fellow defender Jack Adams stepped up to coolly dispatch his second penalty in successive games.
Bitton had won the previous three meetings between the sides 1-0 but looked totally out of sorts before the break.
It was a different story in the second half, however, as they offered far more and drew level after 77 minutes when a Matt Knapman corner was headed home by Joe Chandler.
Both sides created openings but it was Bitton who looked more dangerous with home keeper Nathan Whatley pulling off a string of fine saves.
Yet Wellington thought they had clinched victory in stoppage time as they regained the lead, Shane Kingston rising to score with a superb header from Will Gardner’s cross.
Their celebrations had barely died down when the visitors broke upfield and James Clarke was sent racing clear up the right.
Whatley did well to to keep out his low shot but substitute Brandon Barnes was perfectly placed to snap up the rebound for a heartbreaking equaliser.
Wellington: Nathan Whatley, Craig Mawford, Will Gardner, Martin White, Jack Adams, Dan Thompson, David Thorne, John Bradford, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Scott Holland. Subs: Adam Fricker, Mark Burgess (used), Dan Woodgate (not used). Att: 43.
