August 17th, 2009
FA Cup extra preliminary round: Wellington 1, Bideford 3.
WELLINGTON bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as they went down to Toolstation premier rivals Bideford on Saturday.
In a tie played at Elmore’s ground in Tiverton because Wellington Playing Field is still being used for cricket, Warren Patmore’s side could have few complaints about their first defeat under the new boss.
Although the first half was closely contested, it was Bideford – many people’s tip for the league championship this season – who created the best openings.
And striker Glen Johnson – their new signing from Calne Town – squandered the best of them as he shot wide of an open goal.
Wellington made them pay by taking the lead just before the break as Craig Herrod was tripped just inside the area and skipper Simon Ingram stepped up to coolly convert his second penalty in successive games.
Bideford got a roasting from their manager Sean Joyce at half-time and responded by equalising shortly after the break when poor defending allowed Matt Downing to poke home a lobbed cross.
By now, the visitors’ tails were up and they went ahead in controversial circumstances after 56 minutes when Herrod was harshly judged to have bundled over Clay Bond and Danny Harris scored from the penalty spot.
Patmore used all three subs and threw players forward in search of an equaliser to force a replay.
But Bideford always looked more dangerous going forward and they sealed the tie in the final minute when Kevin Squire’s knock-back was bundled home by Nick Barker.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Martin White, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Shane Kingston. Substitutes, Daniel Short, Ashley Baker and Luke Desave (used), Neil Vogwill and Warren Patmore (not used).
Attendance: 188.
August 12th, 2009
Toolstation League premier division: Barnstaple Town 2, Wellington 2.
A PENALTY in the sixth minute of injury time salvaged a point for Wellington in North Devon last night.
Warren Patmore’s side were heading for defeat when Craig Herrod was tripped as he burst into the opponents’ box and skipper Simon Ingram stepped up to coolly slot home the spot-kick.
That brought a sight of relief for Wellington’s band of travelling supporters who had seen their side fall behind despite Barnstaple being reduced to ten men by the 70th minute dismisal of midfielder Jamie Skinner.
Wellington bossed the first half and went ahead after ten minutes when Jack Adams’ headed clearance was cleverly flicked on by Shane Kingston for Aussie striker Darren Stone to run on and net.
But the visitors failed to increase their advantage and only went into the interval in front thanks to a double goalline clearance by defender Scott Holland.
Barnstaple stepped up a gear after the break and drew level after 58 minutes from a fierce low drive from Robert Gough.
Wellington’s cause was not helped when the lively Kingston limped out of the action but then Barnstaple’s Skinner was red carded for a vicious tackle on substitute Neil Vogwill.
Despite this setback, the home side went ahead five minutes later as striker Stan Paxton capitalised on an uncharacteristic slip by Adams to race clear and shoot past keeper Ryan Lewis.
They almost increased their lead when Jamie Frickleton’s shot was deflected on to the post by Lewis but then came Wellington’s late, late equaliser.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Ashley Baker, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Darren Stone. Substitutes, Neil Vogwill (used), Mark Burgess and Luke Desave (not used).
Attendance: 186.
August 9th, 2009
WELLINGTON’S next match is on Tuesday night when they travel to play Barnstaple in another league game.
Barnstaple have had a difficult close season but started the campaign with an impressive 2-2 draw away to champions Bitton yesterday.
On Saturday, Wellington entertain Bideford in an FA Cup tie which will be played at Elmore FC’s ground in Tiverton because the Playing Field is being used for cricket.
August 9th, 2009
Toolstation League premier division: Welton Rovers 1, Wellington 3
WELLINGTON started life under new manager Warren Patmore with a cracking win away to Welton Rovers yesterday.
Already without unavailable captain Simon Ingram, Patmore was forced to re-shuffle his side when two players were delayed by a road accident.
And things went from bad to worse as they fell behind after only eight minutes with the ball being flicked over the top of the Wellington defence for Andrew Cotley to net.
A ding-dong start to the game saw both Shane Kingston and Darren Stone have close-range shots blocked for the visitors, James Billing of Welton have a “goal” disallowed for offside and then Wellington’s Jack Adams hit the post from a free kick.
But it was Wellington who scored a “route one” equaliser after 19 minutes as keeper Ryan Lewis’s clearance sent striker Shane Kingston racing away to cleverly clip the ball home.
Wellington looked more composed as the game wore on and they almost went ahead after 58 minutes when Kingston raced clear again but this time was denied by keeper Tristan Westlake.
Only two minutes later, the visitors took the lead as the ball was rolled to Adams – deputising for Ingram in midfield – and his blistering shot into the top corner left Westlake clutching at thin air.
Wellington substitute Mark Burgess almost put his side further ahead from a free-kick eight minutes from time before a dramatic climax to the match.
In the final minute of injury time, visiting keeper Ryan Lewis did just enough to take the sting out of a Chris Lewis shot with defender Craig Mawford clearing the ball off the line.
And, almost immediately, Wellington winger Craig Herrod pounced on some loose play, rounded a defender and scored with a low drive to seal the points.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Ashley Baker, Scott Holland, Martin White, Craig Mawford, Jon Crowford, Andy Butler, Jack Adams, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Shane Kingston. Substitutes, Mark Burgess, Luke Desave, Neil Vogwill (all used).
THE Wellington line-up included midfielder Andy Butler, who has decided to stay with the club instead of joining neighbours Taunton Town.
July 31st, 2009
WELLINGTON went 3-0 away to Southern League neighbours Taunton Town in a friendly at Wordsworth Drive on Tuesday night.
Taunton’s Nick McCootie capitalised on a slip by centre-back Scott Holland to put the home side into a 20th minute lead.
Set up by Shaun Anthony, Lewis Irish doubled the advantage on 37 minutes, and concluded the scoring just before the hour mark with the best goal of the game.
The impressive Rice picked out McCootie with an excellent cross-field pass. The forward then wrestled clear of Holland and crossed to the far post where Irish finished on the run.
Wellington manager Warren Patmore’s approach was equally experimental. The ex-Yeovil striker used five substitutes including Blackbrook players Alex Stephens and Pat Sherwood in the second half.
Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford (Pat Sherwood 66), Jack Adams, Martin White, Neil Vogwill (Marcus Vaughan 45), Scott Holland, Darren Stone (Luke Desave 45), Simon Ingram (captain), Matt Francis (Mark Burgess 45), Shane Kingston, Craig Herrod (Alex Stephens 66).
July 26th, 2009
WELLINGTON continued their build-up to the new season with an impressive display as they drew 2-2 away to an Exeter City XI yesterday.
The young Exeter side – with their first team boss Paul Tisdale watching – went ahead early on through Jack Furzer’s powerful header.
But in a high-tempo game, Wellington hit back to lead before half-time thanks to two goals from striker Shane Kingston.
First, he scored with a low drive after being set up by skipper Simon Ingram.
And then he turned home a low cross by Aussie winger Darren Stone.
Both sides created openings in an even second half but it was Exeter, who drew level on the hour as Tom Nicholls scored against his home town club.
Wellington’s next friendly is on Tuesday when they travel to play neighbours Taunton Town (kick off 7.45).
July 10th, 2009
ANDY Thorne is the new vice-chairman of Wellington Football Club.
He takes over from Graham Aspin, who stepped down from the post at the end of last season.
Club chairman Ken Bird said: “Andy has been a hard-working member of our management committee for a number of years and has been particularly supportive over what has been a challenging period for the club.
“I’m delighted that he has agreed to take on this new challenge and know it is an excellent appointment for Wellington AFC.”
Wellington go into the 2009-10 season with a new first-team manager, Warren Patmore, new reserves’ bosses Joe Conway and Jason Hawkings and a newly-formed commercial committee.
“Andy’s appointment ties up our final loose end and I believe we’re now geared up to build on the successes of the past two seasons,” added Mr Bird.
Meanwhile, work has started at the Playing Field on the £30,000 project to provide Wellington with new floodlights.
July 9th, 2009
WELLINGTON’S first pre-season friendly this weekend has been switched from Friday night to Saturday afternoon.
The Toolstation League premier division club are travelling to play division one Gillingham with a 2.30 kick-off.
Meanwhile, more than 30 players attended last night’s latest training session conducted by new manager Warren Patmore.
The former Yeovil Town striker has taken over from Leigh Robinson, who quit at the end of the season to become joint manager of Bridgwater Town.
Patmore’s team at Gillingham is expected to include a number of new faces alongside members of last season’s squad, who finished seventh in the premier division.
July 7th, 2009
JOE Conway and Jason Hawkings will run Wellington Reserves in the premier division of the Devon and Exeter League this season.
The pair were appointed today(Tuesday) to take over from Nick Bowrah, who has stepped down from the job to concentrate on playing.
Chairman Ken Bird said: “Joe and Jason are both long-serving players and popular figures within the club.
“Jason captained the third-team to the Intermediate One championship last season while Joe played for both the reserves and thirds.
“They also each manage a team in our youth set-up and have now decided to set up into senior management.
“We are delighted to have them on board and wish them every success in their new challenge.”
Meanwhile, Wellington’s FA Cup tie at home to Bideford on August 15 has been switched to Tiverton club Elmore’s ground because there is cricket at the Playing Field that day.
July 2nd, 2009
NEW Wellington manager Warren Patmore will meet his players for the first time when they return for pre-season training tonight (Thursday).
The former Yeovil Town striker was appointed last week to replace Leigh Robinson, who has joined Southern League club Bridgwater Town as joint manager.
Chairman Ken Bird said: “Warren spent Saturday morning at the club, meeting people and getting a feel for the place and the facilities.
“He wants to hit the ground running and has developed a full training schedule to dovetail a programme of friendlies.”
New players are welcome to attend tonight’s session at the Playing Field, which start at 7.15pm and there will be a further session on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Patmore will find himself on the same pitch as England skipper John Terry when he plays in a testimonial match for Yeovil’s player-boss Terry Skiverton at Huish Park this Saturday.
WELLINGTON have formed a commercial committee to handle sponsorship and other revenue-generating opportunities.
It consists of five executives – Andy Thorne, Ryan Lewis, Paul Sellick, Steve Luxon and Joe Conway – with Shirley Evett acting as administrator.
Wellington have a wide range of sponsorship opportunities available – including advertising on kit and tracksuits. Anyone interested, should ring 07909-828301.
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