Wellington Reserves gave a fine show at home to third placed Sidmouth Town in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League last weekend and although they let slip a two goal half time advantage a draw was about fair based on the whole game’s play.
Wellington went into the game in last place and Sidmouth in third, but based on the action in the first half you would have thought it was roles reversed for Wellington in general and Joe Enticott in particular savaged the visitors as they played as if they were still on the minibus that brought the Devon side and a good number of fans with them.
Sidmouth were limited to playing the route one method when playing up the notorious Wellington Playing Field hill and this was no problem to a Wellington back four of James Garrad, Darren Mace, Mitch Woodgate and Chris McKee who all mopped up the aerial bombardment that came its way and distributed the ball forward well.
Wellington went ahead on twenty minutes when a good ball forward was thumped home by Joe Enticott as he evaded the pedestrian Sidmouth back line and scored well, he repeated the dose just before the break and Wellington entered the break in the ascendancy.
Sidmouth must have received a rocket from their boss as they played much better in the second half when going downhill; they did not let Wellington get forward very much and grabbed two goals when a firmly struck shot was parried by Chris Cherry in the Tangerines goal and it was edged in by a Sidmouth attacker.
A cracking strike from midfield levelled matters up at which point Darren Mace was sent off for bringing down a man and as he was seen as being the last man he was shown red; the baiting from the away dugout and travelling fans for a sending off was not called for and made for a fiery last few minutes – that the game ended level was a fair outcome.
Wellington have no game next weekend and are home to league leaders Seaton Town on Wednesday 16th March from 7.30pm
