Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON’S Toolstation League premier division match at home to Welton Rovers on Wednesday night has become the latest victim of the weather.

The Playing Field pitch is still covered in snow although club officials are hoping it will have cleared in time for Saturday’s home game against Bishop Sutton.

Wellington have three league games to fit in before the end of the season – Willand Rovers (away), Bitton (home) and now Welton Rovers (home).

WELLINGTON’S Toolstation League premier division match at home to Bitton on Saturday is among the first victims of this week’s heavy snow.

The league gave member clubs the chance to call off matches without pitch inspections because of the severe weather.

And with the Playing Field certain to be unplayable, Wellington have taken an early decision.

The weekend sporting programme is again expected to be decimated with clubs now facing long fixture backlogs.

Wellington are due to play again next Wednesday when they host Welton Rovers in a league match (7.30).

WELLINGTON have been thrown out of the Toolstation League’s Les Phillips Cup.

The Tangerines were penalised for bringing on Dean Grubb as a late substitute in their victory over Wells City in the last round. It has turned out Grubb, who has since signed for Weston-super-Mare, was still under contract with Weymouth.

“We had no idea whatsoever that we were doing anything wrong,” said a club spokesman.

“Apparently, Dean signed for Weymouth in the summer but left before the season started and was under the impression his contract had been terminated. We knew nothing about it, having signed him from Cheddar.”

Meanwhile, Wellington, whose Premier Division game at Willand Rovers was postponed at the weekend, are due to host champions Bitton on Saturday. Next Wednesday, they are home to Welton Rovers (7.30pm).

Les Phillips Cup first round: Wellington 1, Wells City 0.

AN injury-time goal from central defender Will Gardner earned Wellington victory over Wells City at the Playing Field last night.

Wells, runaway leaders of the Toolstation first division, gave premier division Wellington a shock by taking the lead after only two minutes.

Steve Murray was judged to have been fouled by Craig Rimmer and picked himself up to score from the penalty spot despite a valiant effort by keeper Ryan Lewis.

The goal seemed to shock Wellington into their stride and they equalised before half-time with a perfectly-executed volley from Simon Ingram.

Wellington went on to control the rest of the game without being able to make the tie safe.

The closest they came to scoring was a dipping shot from Craig Herrod on the hour which thumped against the woodwork.

Extra-time was on the cards until the 91st minute when skipper Ingram sent over a corner from the right, which Gardner met with a powerful header.

The goal earned Wellington a second round trip to premier rivals Calne Town.

Meanwhile, they return to league action this Saturday when they entertain Welton Rovers at the Playing Field (3pm).

Toolstation League premier division: Bitton 1, Wellington 0.

WELLINGTON went down to an odd-goal defeat away to reigning champions Bitton yesterday.

Ryan Lewis saved a penalty for Wellington early in the second half.

But he could do nothing about the Bitton winner after 63 minutes as the ball was driven home through a crowd of players.

For the full and exclusive match report, see this Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.

Wellington’s next match is on Wednesday when they entertain Wells City in the first round of the Les Phillips Cup, kick-off 7.30pm.

Wells are currently runaway leaders of the first division.

FA Carlsberg Vase third round: Wellington 2, Epsom & Ewell 3 (after extra time).

WELLINGTON bowed out of the FA Vase after an extra-time defeat by Epsom in a pulsating game played in dreadful conditions yesterday (Saturday).

Epsom took control of the match with goals by Kyle Hough and Robby Burns before Wellington pulled one back just before half-time through Shane Kingston.

The home side then drew level thanks to a header from debutant Will Gardner and should have won the game after being awarded a penalty in injury time but Simon Ingram’s kick was saved.

To rub salt into their wounds, Epsom clinched victory from the spot with Hough scoring again in the second period of extra time.

For the full and exclusive match report, see this Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.

Wellington return to Toolstation premier action on Saturday when they travel to play reigning champions Bitton.

WELLINGTON’S FA Carlsberg Vase third round tie against Epsom and Ewell tomorrow is ON.
The Playing Field pitch was passed fit after being inspected at 3pm today by local referee Mike Hall.
Epsom and Ewell, who play in the Combined Counties League are travelling down from Surrey tonight.
“We’re very grateful to Mike Hall for carrying out the inspection,” said a club spokesman.
“Obviously, everything will depend on the weather overnight and in the morning. If a further inspection is required, it will be carried out by the match referee.”
Wellington will be attempting to reach the fourth round of the Vase for the first time in their history.
Epsom were inaugural finalists in the competition back in 1975 when they lost 2-1 to Hoddeston Town.
Tomorrow’s tie kicks off at 3pm.

WELLINGTON will attempt to reach the fourth round of the FA Carlsberg Vase for the first time in their history when they entertain Epsom and Ewell from Surrey on Saturday (3.00).

Epsom, who play in the Combined Counties League, were inaugural finalists in the Vase back in 1975 when they lost 2-1 to Hoddeston Town.

The sodden Playing Field pitch will be subject to a 3pm inspection by local referee Mike Hall on Friday.

Log on to somersetcountygazette.co.uk/sport to discover the outcome.

If the tie is postponed, it will be played the following Saturday, December 12.

WELLINGTON’S Les Phillips Cup tie at home to Wells City tomorrow has fallen victim to the weather.
The Playing Field pitch was inspected at 11.30am today by local referee Mike Hall, who ruled it unplayable.
Since the decision, Taunton Deane Council has called off all matches on its pitches because of the heavy rain, which means the third team fixture at the Recreation Ground is postponed.
Wellington will hope to be back in action next Saturday, December 5, when they entertain Epsom and Ewell from Surrey in the third round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

FA Carlsberg Vase second round: Wellington 3, Bradford Town 2.

WELLINGTON reached the third round of the FA Carlsberg Vase for only the second time in their history as they edged out Bradford Town in a pulsating tie yesterday.

Wellington got off to a flying start by going ahead after only six minutes. Dan Thompson released Shane Kingston in space and the striker produced a neat finish across keeper Lewis Porter.

But Bradford equalised through Gavin Eyre’s deflected free kick after 36 minutes and took the the lead with a stunning individual effort by Dave Percival.

Wellington started the second half as if they meant business and took control of the game.

They drew level just after the hour thanks to midfielder Andy Butler – back on loan from Taunton Town for the day – who marked his introduction as a substitute by gleefully volleying home an Ingram corner.

And it was another substitute, young striker Aaron Braddick, who marked his competitive first-team debut by scoring the winner seven minutes later. 

Found by Kingston inside the Bradford box, he cleverly made room for himself before driving the ball home inside the far post despite the efforts of a covering defender.

For the full match report see Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.