Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON Reserves player-manager John Norman, who broke his leg during the season, has stepped down as boss to concentrate on playing.

The club hope to make an appointment at this Sunday’s committee meeting.

Meanwhile, Wellington are hoping to pull their third team out of the Taunton Saturday League and join the reserves in the Devon and Exeter League.

WELLINGTON Football Club celebrated their best-ever season with their annual dinner and presentations in the clubhouse.

Manager Leigh Robinson received the Toolstation League division one trophy from club president Alan Shire.

And there were special presentations to Nick Woon to mark his retirement from senior football and John Norman, who is stepping down after two seasons as manager of Wellington Reserves.

Secretary Ken Pearson collected the Brown Rosebowl for Clubperson of the Year.

And captain Simon Ingram was voted first team supporters’ player and players’ player of the season.

Other award winners: Young player, Ryan Lewis; most improved, Jack Adams and Dan Woodgate; first team top scorer, Nick Woon; reserves manager’s player, Craig Aspin; players’ player, Greg Jackson; top scorer, John Norman; third team manager’s player, Jason Hawkings; players’ player, Ian Warren; top scorer, Dan Woodgate.

TRIUMPHANT Wellington WILL be playing in the Toolstation League’s Premier Division next season.

Rumours have been circulating that the newly-crowned Division One champions would not be able to carry out the necessary improvements to their Playing Field ground to make the step up.

But chairman Ken Bird confirmed this week: “We have now obtained planning permission from Taunton Deane Council to carry out the work and it’s all systems go.”

Wellington need to provide a 100-seater grandstand, fence off the far side of the pitch on match days and provide hard standing at both ends.

Meanwhile, manager Leigh Robinson has toasted his side’s success in his first season in charge.

He said: “It has been a magnificent achievement for the team and the club – even more so when you bear in mind Wellington has never won the league before, making us the best side in its history.

“Our players deserve all the credit for the way they have dedicated themselves to Wellington AFC – it has become a huge part of their lives, not just on Saturdays.”

Wellington’s annual dinner and dance in the clubhouse tomorrow night (Friday) is a sell-out.

Toolstation League division one: Shepton Mallet 1, Wellington 2

NEWLY-CROWNED division one champions Wellington finished the club’s most successful ever campaign with league win number 27 at Shepton on Saturday.

And immediately after the final whistle, skipper Simon Ingram was presented with the trophy by Toolstation vice-chairman John Pool and the squad – including manager Leigh Robinson – received their medals.

Wellington had thumped Shepton 12-1 at the Playing Field back in March and were given a much sterner test in the return game.

They went ahead after ten minutes when Alex Pounde span off his marker in typical style and pulled the ball back for Woon to make no mistake.

But playing down their sloping pitch, Shepton equalised midway through the first half as the ball was chipped over the visitors’ defence and Haydn Alkins burst forward to drive past keeper Ryan Lewis.

Chances were few and far between in an often scrappy game but Wellington sealed the points just before half-time as their two leading scorers combined for what proved to be the winner.

Woon found Ingram just outside the area and he cut inside before sending a spectacular shot flying into the top corner, giving keeper Owen Dunn no chance.

The second half was something of a non-event although Woon’s late departure allowed Wellington’s assistant manager Danny Phillips to make a cameo appearance.

That summed up a joyous day for Robinson, Phillips, goalkeeping coach Wayne Hitchcott and the players.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Substitutes, Graham Burne and Danny Phillips (used), Wayne Hitchcott (not used).

WELLINGTON clinched the Toolstation League division one title for the first time in their history last night (Wednesday).

They drew 3-3 away to Minehead to earn the point which ensured they finished ahead of nearest rivals Sherborne and Larkhall … and still have one game to play.

The league trophy and medals will now be presented after Wellington’s final match of the season at Shepton Mallet on Saturday.

Minehead stunned the champions-elect by taking the lead after 26 minutes when Lee Smythe produced an exquisite chip over keeper Ryan Lewis.

But Wellington hit back by scoring three times before the break.

First, Scott Holland glanced home a Jon Crowford corner and then Danny Cockram headed in a cross by Alex Pounde.

Craig Herrod scored the third from close range after keeper Chris Meredith had failed to hold a powerful shot by Cockram.

But if Wellington thought the game was won, Minehead certainly didn’t and they hit back to snatch a point with two fine second-half goals by the lively Smythe and skipper Luke Taylor.

AFTER a 3-0 victory at Hengrove on Saturday virtually assured Wellington of the Toolstation League division one title, we can look forward celebrating the success.

We need just one point from our final two games – at Minehead on Wednesday (kick off 6.30pm) and at Shepton Mallet on Saturday.

And our goal difference is so superior to that of Sherborne and Larkhall, that even two defeats should see us still lifting the title.

To mark the end of our campaign, we are planning to run a coach to Shepton Mallet – to book your seat ring 01823-661697 (after 4pm).

The Wellington scorers against Hengrove were Jon Crowford, Dan Short and Craig Mawford.

For a full match report, see this Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.

WELLINGTON are pressing ahead with improvements to the Playing Field facilities to bring them up to premier division standard.

Plans include a 100-seater stand and fencing off the open side of the ground on match days.

“We had another meeting with Toolstation League and FA officials at the club last week and they were very pleased with our progress,” said chairman Ken Bird.

“As far as we are concerned once the work is granted planning permission from Taunton Deane Council, it’s all systems go.”

Toolstation League Division 1: Roman Glass St George 2, Wellington 8

WELLINGTON are just two wins from the title after thumping league newcomers Roman Glass St George in Bristol last Saturday.

With the wind and rain at their backs, Wellington dominated from the kick-off although there was an element of luck about their opening goal in the 34th minute as Jon Crowford’s corner was diverted into the net off Nick Woon’s hip.

His second three minutes later was more clinical, a neat finish from Craig Herrod’s low cross.

But St George stunned the visitors by pulling a goal back after 40 minutes with a fine shot by Kevin Williams, which gave keeper Ryan Lewis no chance.

Wellington restored their two-goal advantage before the break when a perfect pass out of defence by Daniel Short sent Alex Pounde racing clear to round keeper Tristan Ferguson.

And they then made it 4-1 only 25 seconds into the second half as a well-worked move ended with Woon completing his hat-trick by turning home Crowford’s low cross.

St George clawed another goal back when Daniel Short was harshly judged to have handled in the area and Dan Aldridge coolly dispatched the resulting penalty.

But the visitors again hit back immediately from the restart without the home side touching the ball as Pounde’s fine run ended with Woon lifting the ball impeccably over Ferguson.

By now, Wellington had St George chasing shadows and ran in three more goals without reply.

57 minutes – defender Jack Adams found Simon Ingram in space to drive home from the edge of the area.

79 minutes – Pounde pounced on a bad back-pass to fire home his second.

89 minutes – A long ball from Pounde found substitute Alex Rudd to control and net with an angled shot.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Andy Butler, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Danny Cockram, Craig Herrod, Alex Pounde, Nick Woon. Substitutes, Alex Rudd, Craig Mawford, Dan Boere (all used).

Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 4, Almondsbury 2.

WELLINGTON moved to within two points of leaders Sherborne with two games in hand after victory at home to Almondsbury in a replayed match last night (Wednesday).

The hosts took the lead after 20 minutes when Dan Short rose to head home a corner.

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Welington appeared to have put the game beyond lowly Almondsbury with two goals in a minute on the stroke of half-time.

First, Simon Ingram’s free-kick was headed on by Dan Boere for Nick Woon fire home on the turn. Then, a fine pass from Ingram found Ali Pounde who ran on to drill home.

However, Almondsbury stunned Wellington by scoring twice in the first seven minutes of the second half.

Robert Warren got behind the defence to lob Ryan Lewis and Jon Adams capitalised on some poor defending to make it 3-2.

But Wellington secured the points with a fourth goal ten minutes from time when a scramble led to Danny Cockram shooting home through a crowd of players.

In original game last month, the referee blew the full time whistle five minutes early in bad weather with Wellington leading 5-1. He said the result would stand, but the league ruled it had to be replayed.

Wellington are away to Roman Glass St George on Saturday.

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).