February 20th, 2011
WELLINGTON and Willand drew for the third time in a row in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League when they fought out a goalless draw at North Street yesterday.
But this was a game that Wellington could and should have won as they created by far and away the best chances and moves of the game, but they should take heart from that and move into the next game with this same sort of confidence.
Wellington were into their stride early as this saw Ashley Gaines doing good work up the right wing and playing a good ball in for Nathan Thomas to hit one point blank at the keeper and he saved the strike somehow.
Wellington continued to press forward and hit the post twice before the break; Nathan Thomas was first to do so and the ball came back into play and had time to strike the hand of a Willand defender, Wellington’s appeals for a spot kick were denied. Craig Aspin nearly delivered the perfect counter attack as Wellington keeper Chris Cherry delivered a long ball that found Aspin perfectly and the tall winger rampaged forward and beat the keeper from a very narrow angle, but just not enough to tuck the ball inside the far post as it bounced agonisingly wide and to safety.
Wellington were the better side into the second half and had it not been for Paul Pocock in the Willand midfield they would have offered even less than they actually did.
Nigel Letten played a whole game despite picking up a second half injury, but he will be out for this evening’s game and Mitch Woodgate was a tower of strength at the back as he played a MoM performance.
Luke Perry and Oli Nott were both used as second half substitutes, but Wellington just could not find the killer touch to wrap up three points; although they stay fourteenth Wellington moved closer to the mid table pack.
Wellington entertain Budleigh Salterton Reserves on Wednesday (7.30pm) and need to take this level of performance in to a game against a side going for their third successive double over the Tangerines second string.
February 16th, 2011
Rain ruined the first of Wellington Reserves midweek matches in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League when this evening’s visit of Clyst Valley was called off at 5.30pm due to a waterlogged pitch.
Yet another postponement has befallen the team in a season that has been ruined by snow, ice, wind and rain and still leaves them with a dozen home matches to play.
February 16th, 2011
WELLINGTON Reserves’ home match against Clyst Valley tonight has fallen victim to the weather.
The game has been called off in the past few minutes because of a waterlogged Playing Field pitch.
The Reserves, who are facing a fixture backlog, have two more league games at home in the next week – against Willand Reserves on Saturday (3pm) and Budleigh Salterton next Wednesday (7.30pm).
Meanwhile, Wellington’s first team are in Toolstation premier action at Corsham Town on Saturday.
February 13th, 2011
Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 0, Longwell Green 1.
AN injury-time penalty consigned Wellington to defeat in their crucial relegation battle with fellow strugglers Longwell Green at the Playing Field yesterday.
The game was heading for a draw when defender Mark Armstrong was judged by have fouled sub Jordan Metters and Chris Dauncy stepped up to net from the spot.
That rubbed salt into bottom club Wellington’s wounds after they had seen vehement appeals for a penalty turned down when Craig Herrod was sent tumbling in the box.
Colin Merrick’s side had deserved at least a draw after carving out the better openings with keeper Ryan Lewis rarely forced into serious action.
Wellington’s next match is away to Corsham Town on Saturday.
February 13th, 2011
Toolstation League premier division: Dawlish Town 1, Wellington 1.
WELLINGTON picked up their second valuable point in four days with a gutsy display at Dawlish.
Despite dominating the opening stages, they fell behind after 41 minutes as keeper Ryan Lewis failed to deal with a clearance from his opposite number Grant Fisher and Liam McAuley gratefully took advantage of his slip.
Both sides had their chances in an open second half but Wellington drew level on the hour as Simon Ingram’s shot hit a defender’s arm and he coolly slotted home the resulting penalty.
Lewis made amends for his first-half howler by producing a pair of top-notch saves while, at the other end, Alex Pounde and substitute David Thorne were both denied by Fisher.
February 13th, 2011
Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 2, Odd Down 2.
WELLINGTON ended their run of defeats with a hard-earned draw against Odd Down at the wind-ravaged Playing Field.
In their first game since Colin Merrick became permanent manager, they got off to a flying start as Craig Herrod shot home after only five minutes.
But Odd Down equalised 15 minutes with a well-placed shot by Matthew Rawlings and went on to hit the woodwork three times before half-time.
The visitors then caught Wellington napping to take the lead only two minutes after the re-start, Jamie Taylor applying a clinical finish.
Merrick’s side refused to lie down, however, and equalised after 63 minutes with a stunning strike from Alex Pounde, whose shot sailed into the top corner of the net.
Odd Down were denied by the woodwork again 15 minutes later, Simon Charity’s shot hitting the post after keeper Ryan Lewis had done brilliantly to keep out a Taylor header.
In an exciting finish, Wellington thought they had broken out to score the winner in injury time – only for Mark Clunie’s shot to be ruled out for offside.
February 6th, 2011
Wellington Reserves could not make it three wins in a row when they found Devon and Exeter Premier Division leaders Seaton Town in formidable second half mood when they visited the Devon coast last weekend.
After a very solid and robust first half when the Wellington back line of James Garrad, Mitch Woodgate, Tom Phillips and Darren Mace let nothing get through so as to get to half time at 0-0 all that hard work was undone by three goals in six crazy second half minutes as Seaton secured the points with an element of aid from the Tangerines second string.
All three subs were tried, but to no avail.
There is no game next Saturday due to a home game being displaced by a rearranged first team match, but the game in question – Clyst Valley – is up four days later under lights on Wednesday 16th February from 7.30pm
February 1st, 2011
TWO events are being staged this month in aid of Wellington Football Club’s clubhouse refurbishment programme.
This Saturday sees a 60s, 70s and 80s disco with the R&S Roadshow. Fancy dress is optional and admission on the door is £3 for members and £4 for non-members.
On Saturday, February 19th, the club are staging a Valentine’s Dance with popular local band Home Brew. Admission on the door is £3 for members and £5 for non-members.
February 1st, 2011
COLIN MERRICK is the new manager of Toolstation premier division Wellington.
The former Taunton Blackbrook boss has accepted the job having been in temporary charge since Gary Domone’s shock resignation at the beginning of January.
He will be Wellington’s third manager in a season which has seen them struggling at the bottom of the table.
A club spokesman said: “Colin has impressed everyone with his approach and enthusiasm and we are delighted to have him on board.
“He has had a long managerial career and is very well known on the local football scene.
“Getting the first team out of their current predicament is going to be a huge challenge but we are confident Colin will give it everything.”
Merrick’s first game in permanent charge will be on Saturday when Wellington are home to Odd Down (3pm).
February 1st, 2011
Toolstation league premier division: Wellington 0, Street 1
WELLINGTON suffered another agonising defeat as they conceded the double to Street at the Playing Field on Saturday.
The home side, deep in relegation trouble, responded to a half-time rocket from caretaker boss Colin Merrick without being able to find the equaliser their efforts deserved.
Wellington got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind to what was to be the game’s solitary goal after only two minutes.
Street target man Aaron Lomax was allowed to bring the ball down unchallenged before shooting low past keeper Ryan Lewis, playing against his former club.
Wellington should have equalised on the hour as Alex Pounde’s cross found substitute Craig Mawford with the goal at his mercy but the ball bobbled and his effort went wide.
