Wellington AFC

Toolstation premier division: Bitton 5, Wellington 2.

WELLINGTON’S poor start to their Toolstation Premier campaign continued on Saturday when they crashed to a heavy defeat at title favourites Bitton.

They were behind after 20 minutes after they were made to pay for the first of a string of defensive errors.

Keeper Ryan Lewis did his best to hold back the tide but could do nothing to stop a Matt Tilley drive 15 minutes later.

Things didn’t improve after the break as Bitton increased their lead within five minutes.

Wellington reduced the arrears through a Simon Ingram free-kick but Bitton hit back twice to take a 5-1 lead.

Defender Mark Armstrong brought Wellington some consolation, scoring with a fine 30-yard drive.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) night, Wellington host Taunton Town in the Somerset Premier Cup (7.30).

Wellington Reserves are thirteenth in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter Football League after this home defeat by Newtown last weekend when some very poor refereeing that lacked direction and dynamism let the away side get away with murder at times and left several Wellington players hoping they had all their body parts in place after some woefully bad tackling was on show at North Street.
 
Wellington again had several of their core players absent through work, first team call ups and injury and were forced to field a shadow squad in many ways, but after shipping an early goal Wellington got back into the game as Nathan Thomas – who put a lot of effort in on the day – got in behind the Newtown back four and with some good ball delivery from Mitch Woodgate at left back and Chris McKee in midfield Wellington were not out of the game by a long way; Darren Mace was good in midfield for Wellington and he used his experience well to manage things for the Tangerines second string.
Chris McDougall played well just behind the front two and drove much of Wellington’s first half play and it is good to have him back,
 
The game pivoted on a very poor penalty decision that went for Newtown in the early part of the second half; with the visiting attacker ending up nearer the North Street Car Park than the Wellington goal once he had gone to ground the spot was pointed to and Newtown doubled their advantage.
 
They tripled it as Wellington lost some of their mojo and although they too had a penalty the strike from Tom Phillips was saved.
 
Wellington saw a two footed challenge on Luke Perry only receive a yellow card when red was the only choice wasn’t it?
 
A visit to Heavitree Social Utd is next up on Saturday.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 2, Wells City 3.

WELLINGTON started life under new manager Gary Domone with another agonising odd-goal defeat at the Playing Field yesterday.

Wellington got off to the worst possible start as poor defending let in Steve Murray to give Wells a 2-0 lead inside the half-hour.

The home side should have got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Craig Herrod but Jack Adams’ spot-kick was well saved by keeper Tom Punchard.

Wellington were not to be denied, however, and they did pull a goal back when Herrod scored from a narrow angle.

The game turned on a controversial incident on the stroke of half-time. Olly Edwards raced clear with Wellington appealing in vain for offside and produced a long-range chip to make it 3-1.

That left Wellington with a mountain to climb and, despite dominating the second half, they could only pull one goal back – a spectacular dipping shot from Adams after 70 minutes.

The Reserves conceded six goals for the second time this season as they were soundly beaten at Clyst Valley in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League.

Nathan Thomas got our goal.

GARY Domone has been appointed first-team manager of Wellington Football Club today.

Domone will replace Leigh Robinson, who quit after Wellington had lost eight of their first nine matches to leave them anchored at the bottom of the table.

Manager of Taunton Town from October 2005 until he resigned in December 2007, he has been in his second spell in charge of Toolstation premier Hallen.

But Domone led them for the last time in the 4-2 defeat at Bishop Sutton last night before making the switch to his home town club.

“We are delighted to have been able to attract someone of Gary’s calibre,” said Wellington chairman Ken Bird.

“He is one of the most experienced and knowledgable managers in the Toolstation League and we are sure he will be good for Wellington Football Club.”

His appointment completes a turnaround in fortunes for Wellington, who recorded their first win of the season by beating second-placed Corsham Town 3-1 last weekend.

Domone will be in charge of the side for the first time on Saturday when Wellington entertain Wells City (3.00).

Toolstation premier division: Wellington 3, Corsham 1.

WELLINGTON finally picked up their first win of the season by beating second-placed Corsham at the Playing Field yesterday.

The kick-off was delayed for half-an-hour after Corsham were stuck in motorway traffic and the first half proved to be a goalless stalemate.

But Wellington took the game by the scruff of the neck as they scored twice in ten minutes.

They had an element of luck on the hour as Craig Mawford’s shot on the turn was deflected by team-mate Craig Herrod.

But there was nothing lucky about their second goal as an Ingram corner was swept home at the far post by Joe Dakwa.

Corsham hit back within two minutes when a free-kick was headed home by Dunphy.

Wellington sealed the points with a second goal from Dakwa in the final minute.

Toolstation League premier division: Manor Farm 3, Wellington 2

MANAGERLESS Wellington suffered another agonising defeat at Manor Farm on Saturday to leave them anchored to the bottom of the table.

Wellington got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind after only ten minutes.

Manor Farm doubled their advantage later in the half as another shot took a wicked deflection and sailed into the net.

Wellington reduced the arrears after 54 minutes when Joe Dakwa scored from close range only for Manor Farm to restore their two-goal advantage after 83 minutes.

Wellington were not finished, however, and pulled another goal back as Craig Herrod intercepted a loose pass and scored with a stunning shot into the top corner.

Whereas Wellington Reserves had been a little naive in their last match at Exeter University this was a robust and well drilled showing from first to last as Devon and Exeter Premier Division leaders St Martins were sent back to Exeter with just a point from a lot of huff and puff, but not a lot of blow your house down as they failed to overcome a resolute Tangerines second string who were good value for a point and may even have nicked it at the end.

Robust defensive play all game long from a back four of Mark Owen, Mitch Woodgate, Tom Phillips and skipper Steve Luxon saw that St Martins were – in the main – restricted to pot shots and long range efforts, although Chris Cherry in the Wellington goal pulled off three fine first half saves.

St Martins – known for their combative style on and off the field of play – were quite tame overall and this played into Wellington’s hands as the team showed their hard work on defensive play in the week since the 6-3 drubbing at University had paid off.

Sam Bryant had a great game – all the better as he was suffering with flu like symptoms – and he was a bag of energy in the middle of the park all game and gave St Martins some hairy moments as he worked some nice moves in centre midfield.

Oli Nott gave great input too, but found his way to goal crowded often as St Martins were pushed back by good delivery from dead ball situations from Chris McKee, but the heading was too often over the bar or wide from Wellington.

But that is another aspect for Dave Thomas and the team to work on for this was a fine display against a side who have now not beaten Wellington Reserves in their last three meetings.

Wellington travel to Willand Rovers on Saturday for a local derby and will be keen to build on this result.

WELLINGTON have begun the search for a new first-team manager after Leigh Robinson quit the job.

Robinson, who started his second spell in charge in the close season, resigned after the 2-1 home defeat by Barnstaple Town.

The result left Wellington rooted to the bottom of the premier division table with only one point from nine games.

“Leigh feels he has not been able to give the job his full commitment,” said club chairman Ken Bird.

“He has a busy working life and young family and has found, since returning to Wellington, that he does not have enough time to devote to football management.

“While obviously disappointed, we respect his decision and wish him all the best for the future.”

The Wellington management committee met last night to discuss potential successors and will also be advertising the position.

Mr Bird added: “While the league table obviously makes depressing reading, we must remember that six of our eight defeats have been by the odd goal.

“We have a talented squad of players and are certain we can turn things around with a new manager at the helm.”

Anyone interested in discussing the position can contact Mr Bird on 07872-567601.