Unlucky return to action
Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 0, Ilfracombe Town 1.
WELLINGTON returned to action after a five-week, weather-enforced break with a narrow defeat at home to high-riding Ilfracombe at the Playing Field last night.
And they can count themselves unlucky not to have earned at least a point from a battling display, which showed few signs of rustiness.
Wellington fielded two debutants – keeper Nathan Whatley and striker Levi Marlow – and they matched Ilfracombe blow for blow in a close-fought game played at a high tempo.
Unfortunately, they were made to pay dearly for a solitary lapse in concentration as a corner after 23 minutes was swung over from the right and the visitors’ Lee Langmead ran in completely unchallenged to plant a thumping header past Whatley.
Wellington refused to let that setback knock them out of their stride and they should have equalised before the break when defender Will Gardner headed fractionally wide and then Marlow saw a goalbound shot from a good position deflected off-target.
The home side almost drew level in the opening minutes of the second half as visiting keeper Steve Oliver pulled off a smart double save to deny Craig Herrod and then skipper Simon Ingram.
Oliver came to Ilfracombe’s rescue again after 53 minutes when he grabbed John Bradford’s stinging shot at the second attempt.
Both sides created half-chances as the already heavy Playing Field pitch cut up even more with Marlow volleying wide and Herrod also blazing over for Wellington.
Wellington: Nathan Whatley, Craig Mawford, Martin White, Will Gardner, Jack Adams, John Bradford, Simon Ingram, Dave Thorne, Craig Herrod, Scott Holland, Levi Marlow. Substitutes, John Norman (for Marlow, 86 minutes), Adam Fricker and Mark Burgess (not used).
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