Budleigh Salterton Reserves 3 0 Wellington Reserves
Wellington Reserves lost for a fifth time in a row to their Budleigh counterparts in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter Football League, but this performance was not deserving a three goal margin as a petty and inefficient referee blighted the game.
Wellington – forced to field Steve Luxon in goal – were behind early on after their back line had been caught very flat and a Budleigh attacker strode through and lifted the ball over Luxon.
The game then improved from Wellington’s perspective, but they were guilty of playing too much slack, loose ball as well, but Budleigh Salterton did not really gain the foothold in the game that their good start should have brought about; going forward the home side were good, but a dicey back line always gave Wellington hope as Sam Bryant was a bag of tricks and James Garrad played some nice balls over the top for Oli Nott and Nathan Thomas to try and run on to.
It stayed 1-0 to Budleigh Salterton when half time was called.
Going into the second half Wellington were the better side, but could not force the door open and claim an equaliser; John Matthews played well on the right wing and got the ball into the box, so well on one occasion that Luke Perry – a second half substitute – was clattered to the ground, but no penalty was given by a referee who did not win many fans from the away side.
Pete Manning almost slammed one into the roof of the net, but saw the ball go just over from a corner and this was the cue for Budleigh Salterton to run away and get goals two and three to leave Wellington facing no way back sadly and that is how it ended.
Saturday 9th October brings a game at Exeter University Reserves with a 3.00pm KO.
