Title hiccup
Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 0, Shrewton United 1
WELLINGTON’S title hopes suffered a setback as they were beaten by Shrewton United in an incident-packed game at the Playing Field last Saturday.
It was a bad day at the office for Leigh Robinson’s side, who did everything but score in the second half as they pummelled the Shrewton goal.
They had more of the play before the break without creating a clear-cut opening and it was the Wiltshire visitors who nearly went ahead in the 37th minute as Jesse Walters was sent racing clear but shot across the face of goal.
Wellington clearly didn’t heed that warning and conceded what was to prove to be the only goal of the match shortly afterwards.
A disputed throw-in in front of the home dugout led to Dean Foot crossing for Craig Lewis to volley home. That was to prove to be the first of a string of controversial moments, which marred the game.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Walters was sent racing clear again only for keeper Ryan Lewis to dive at his feet and grab the ball off him. The referee took nearly everyone on the ground by surprise as he ruled that Lewis had committed a foul and pointed to the spot – with both the keeper and team-mate Daniel Short booked for protesting.
But Wellington felt justice was done when Foot’s spot kick cannoned back off the upright and to safety.
That incident lit the blue touchpaper and almost immediately the game took an ugly turn as a tackle by Wellington’s Danny Cockram provoked a mass brawl which ended with red cards for both Cockram and Shrewton skipper Michael Brownless.
With both sides reduced to ten men, Wellington took the game to Shrewton and created chance after chance.
Both Alex Pounde and substitute Shane Kingston saw shots hit the post, defender Scott Holland had a header cleared off the line in injury time and there were a number of other openings. It was just one of those days …
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Andy Butler, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Danny Cockram, Craig Herrod, Alex Pounde, Nick Woon. Subs: Shane Kingston and Dan Boere (used), Kenzie Farnham (not used).
