Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON’S postponed Somerset Premier Cup game against Yeovil Town has been rearranged.

The game was called off yesterday because of a waterlogged Huish Park pitch.

It will now be played next Tuesday, April 14, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, Wellington entertain Bishop Sutton in the Toolstation premier at the Playing Field on Saturday (3.00).

WELLINGTON’S big Somerset Premier Cup match away to Yeovil Town tonight has been called off.

The game was postponed shortly before noon after officials declared that heavy overnight rain had made the Huish Park pitch unplayable.

The first round tie will now be re-arranged to another date in the near future.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 1, Corsham Town 2

A CONTROVERSIAL injury time goal ended Wellington’s three-match unbeaten run at the Playing Field yesterday.

Wellington were adamant that their skipper Scott Holland had been fouled as he was robbed by Corsham sub Booker Woodford, who then beat keeper Ryan Lewis with a low shot.

But their protests were in vain as the goal was allowed to stand and the visitors returned to Wiltshire with all three points in the bag.

It was a cruel end as Wellington had done enough to earn a draw which would have been a fair reflection on the overall game.

The first half was a tale of two own goals as the unfortunate Holland headed a corner into his own net after 23 minutes and then, six minutes later, Corsham’s Matt Windle suffered a similar fate from a Jon Crowford cross.

Earlier Wellington’s Aussie striker Darren Stone had seen a shot rebound off the post while Corsham’s Jamie Lyons curled a free kick into the side netting.

Both sides pressed for a second goal after the break but they found Lewis and his opposite number Nick Gingell in solid form.

Lewis’s best save was from a fierce effort by Craig Fullam while Gingell did well to keep out shots from Craig Herrod and Shane Kingston.

Wellington brought on Simon Ingram – back from a hamstring injury – for the final few minutes and he almost unlocked the door when he put Herrod into an excellent position but the winger could only shoot into the side netting.

Then, in injury time, came Corsham’s late winner with Wellington leaving the pitch still arguing that it should have been disallowed.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Andy Butler, Andy Robertson, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Darren Stone. Substitutes, Simon Ingram (used), Aaron Deeks and David Hood (not used).

Toolstation League Premier Division: Wellington 2, Barnstaple 1.

KEEPER Ryan Lewis was the Wellington hero as his side earned a hard-fought victory over Barnstaple at the Playing Field last night (Wednesday).

Lewis saved a late penalty to ensure Wellington built on their fine victory at Dawlish lat Saturday.

Barnstaple created a couple of early openings but it was Wellington who took the lead after 26 minutes.

A superb ball over the top by Andy Robertson found Darren Stone and he took the ball in his stride to fire home his third goal in three games.

Wellington suffered a blow shortly afterwards when they lost central defender Marcus Vaughan with a dislocated shoulder.

Vaughan was taken to hospital having suffered problems with the shoulder in the past and is facing a lengthy lay off.

To make matters worse, Barnstaple drew level five minutes before half-time.

Lewis did well to push a header on to the post but ex-Tiverton and Bridgwater striker Lewis Irish followed up to net.

Lewis saved well from Barnstaple skipper Kevin Squire ten minutes after half-time and it was Wellington who scored the all-important second goal on the hour.

Robertson fired in a free-kick from 25 yards out and, although keeper Jimmy Thorne seemed to have it covered, he only succeeded in dropping the ball over the line.

Wellington nearly increased their lead after 75 minutes when Thorne did well to palm Jon Crowford’s drive on to the bar.

Barnstaple looked like they would snatch a late equaliser six minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty for a reckless tackle by Daniel Short. But Lewis flung himself to keep out Squire’s spot kick.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Marcus Vaughan Scott Holland, Dan Short, Jon Crawford, Andy Robertson, Andy Procter, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone. Subs: Shane Kingston, David Hood (both used), Aaron Deeks (not used).

Toolstation League premier division: Dawlish Town 1, Wellington 4

NEWLY-PROMOTED Wellington caused the shock of the day in the Toolstation League’s Premier Division with a stunning victory away to leaders Dawlish Town on Saturday.

Boosted by their hard-earned midweek draw with Willand Rovers, Leigh Robinson’s side overwhelmed Dawlish in the first half to build up a 3-0 lead.

And although the home side launched wave after wave of attack after the break, Wellington still looked dangerous on the break and the margin of their victory could have been even greater.

Dawlish, whose line-up is sprinkled with ex-Taunton Town players, started like a side at the top of the table.

But Wellington some worked their way into the game and their illustrious opponents simply had no answer to their opponents’ pace and penetration going forward.

With skipper Simon Ingram still injured, Robinson brought Dan Boere in for his first appearance of the season and it proved an inspired selection.

Boere, playing just behind lone striker Darren Stone, set up the first goal and then scored the second himself.

Midway through the first half, he sent Stone racing forward to cut inside a defender and beat keeper Ryan Draper with a low shot for his second goal in successive games.

Shortly afterwards, Draper did well to palm a Craig Herrod shot on to the post but he was powerless to prevent Boere making it 2-0 as he headed a Herrod cross in off the underside of the bar.

Wellington completed a magnificent 45 minutes with another well-worked goal just before the break as a flowing move saw Herrod find Andy Robertson to stroke the ball home from the edge of the box.

Dawlish came out after the break looking like they meant business and pulled a goal back just before the hour when Anthony Lynch’s shot was cleared off the line by Dan Short but leading scorer Joe Bushin followed up to net.

Chances were plentiful at both ends but the pivotal moment was after 70 minutes as Wellington keeper Ryan Lewis did well to keep out a free kick and even better to block the follow-up by Derek Fields, who seemed certain to make it 3-2.

At the other end, Draper also produced a number of fine saves as Wellington caught Dawlish on the break repeatedly.

But, with five minutes remaining, more fine work by the tireless Stone saw his low cross turned in by sub Jack Adams to make the game safe.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Marcus Vaughan, Daniel Short, Jon Crowford, Andy Robertson, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Dan Boere, Darren Stone, Subs: Aaron Deekes and Jack Adams (used), Steve Perkins (not used).

WELLINGTON bounced back from their FA Vase defeat at Tavistock with a 1-1 draw at home to local rivals Willand Rovers in the premier division of the Toolstation League last night (Wednesday).

It was a typical derby match, played at a high tempo throughout, and it was only fair that honours ended even at the final whistle.

Chances were few and far between with Willand taking the lead in controversial circumstances six minutes before half-time.

A long ball into the box bounced up and was judged to have hit a Wellington hand leaving referee Mark Oldaker pointing to the spot.

Wellington old boy Paul Pocock stepped up to take the penalty and although keeper Ryan Lewis dived the right way, the ball squeezed under his body and into the net.

Wellington replied only two minutes after half-time thanks to some fine wing play by Jon Crowford.

His tantilising run ended with a cross into the box which was headed home by Aussie striker Darren Stone.

Willand thought they had taken the lead shortly afterwards when David Steele clipped home a free kick.

But, as the visitors celebrated, the “goal was ruled out as Mr Oldaker said that the kick had been indirect.

Both sides launched attacks in search of the winner but, in the end, had to settle for a point apiece.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Marcus Vaughan, Daniel Short, Jon Crowford, Andy Robertson, Andy Proctor, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone. Substitutes, Jack Adams (used), Aaron Deeks and Matt Naylor (not used).

Attendance: 162.

FA Carlsberg Vase second qualifying round: Tavistock 2, Wellington 0

WELLINGTON crashed out of the FA Vase at the hands of South West Peninsular League side Tavistock in Devon yesterday (Saturday).

It was a really bad day at the office for Leigh Robinson’s side as they:

Saw their injury jinx strike again when skipper Simon Ingram suffered a recurrence of his pulled hamstring after only 20 minutes.

Had assistant player-manager sent off late in the game within a minute of coming on as a substitute.

And lost out on a £900 pay-day to follow the £800 they won for beating Ilfracombe in the first qualifying round.

Wellington, who have had a stop-start opening to the season began both halves of the tie brightly but never really fired on all cylinders in a disappointing performance.

Chances were few and far between in the first half with Wellington’s Craig Herrod shooting straight at home keeper Andy Meeds and Tavistock’s Ryan Honey blasting wide after pouncing on a defensive mistake.

Wellington looked like they meant business as the second half got under way yet it was Tavistock who took a 56th minute lead against the run of play.

Visiting defender Scott Holland appeared to be pushed as he leapt to head away a cross and could only direct the ball goalwards.

Keeper Ryan Lewis flung himself to left to produce a fine stop and prevent an own goal but the ball came out to Honey who joyfully dispatched it into the net.

Things turned from bad to worse six minutes later as Tavistock scored again to virtually seal the tie.

Good work on the right by James Steer saw him find Honey in space to stroke the ball low past Lewis from the edge of the box.

After that, Wellington’s heads went down and they never seriously looked like staging a fightback.

Robinson gambled on a double substitution as he sent on Matt Naylor and Perkins but it backfired dramatically as Perkins almost immediately caught an opponent late and was shown a red card amid some ugly scenes.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Marcus Vaughan, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Robertson, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Substitutes, Aaron Deekes, Matt Naylor, Steve Perkins (all used).

Toolstation League Premier Division: Wellington 1, Hallen 2

A PENALTY in the dying minutes consigned Wellington to defeat in their first home game back in the Toolstation premier at the Playing Field last Saturday.

And that gave Hallen, now managed for a second time by former Taunton Town boss Gary Domone, revenge for the 3-1 reverse they suffered on their own ground last month.

There was never much to choose between the sides and the game was heading for a draw, which would have been a fair result.

But when the ball was played through to Hallen sub George Brimson, he raced in on goal only to be brought down by keeper Ryan Lewis.

Despite protests from the home side, the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Andy Cook converted the kick to send the visitors back up the M5 with three points.

The match was evenly-fought from the start with Hallen taking the lead on the half-hour as Rob Sivers was given too much time to bring the ball back on to his left foot and curl a low shot past Lewis.

Wellington replied five minutes later from a thunderbolt free-kick by Jack Adams. Hallen keeper Steve Scannell could only parry the shot and Aussie striker Darren Stone pounced to net.

Stone, who was always a handful up front, almost gave Wellington the lead before the break as another shot from close range came back off the post.

And, in the second half, it was Adams denied by the woodwork when another cracking free-pick was touched on to the post by Scannell.

At the other end, Hallen also hit the upright as home defender Daniel Short rose to cut out a cross and was a relieved man as his header rebounded back into play.

Both sides threw men forward in search of an equaliser and it was Hallen who snatched the late winner.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Marcus Vaughan, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Aaron Deeks. Substitutes, Simon Ingram (used) Matt Naylor and Steve Perkins (not used).

Officials from the Toolstation League attended the match to view ground improvements, which Wellington have had to make following their promotion from the first division.

The work, costing in the region of £100,000, has included provision of a 100-seater grandstand and a portable fence down the entire length of one side of the pitch.

“The league officials were delighted with everything we have done,” said chairman Ken Bird. “It was a landmark day for the club and such a shame the result didn’t cap it.”

EVERYTHING is set fair for Wellington’s first home game back in the Toolstation League’s premier division.

The club entertain Hallen tomorrow (Saturday) after a run of away games because the Playing Field is used for cricket until early September.

Wellington have faced a race against time since gaining promotion as division one champions and have only four months to carry out major ground improvements.

Work started with the laying of hard-standing at both ends of the pitch, then the base for the new 100-seater grandstand was laid followed by delivery of the stand itself.

Meanwhile, new dugouts capable of seating eight people have also been constructed.

Work is taking place today to erect the temporary screen which will run down the entire length of the cricket-square side of the pitch.

The screen needs to be put up and taken down for every game. It also means that spectators will no longer be allowed to stand in that area.

Finally, the four floodlights on the same side of the pitch are erected tomorrow morning.

“It has been a remarkable summer,” said chairman Ken Bird.

“We have had to carry out a programme of work, which would normally take years, in only a few months.

“I can’t thank everyone involved enough and will be delighted when we kick off our home premier division programme.”

WELLINGTON showed they will be no pushover in the premier division this season by winning an incident-packed game at Bideford 2-1 on Tuesday night.

After their 7-3 FA Vase thrashing of premier rivals Ilfracombe last Saturday, Leigh Robinson’s side again got off to a flying start against the former league champions.

They went ahead after only ten minutes as Craig Mawford crossed from the left and found striker Aaron Deeks unmarked in the box to coolly add to his Vase hat-trick.

That was the signal for Bideford to take the game to the visitors but a dramatic evening saw one of their four corner-sited floodlight pylons fail on the half-hour.

While play continued in reduced light, Wellington lost Deeks after a heavy challenge and he was replaced by fit-again aussie striker Darren Stone.

And it was Wellington who extended their lead on the stroke of half-time as former Taunton keeper Kenny Griffiths dropped a Jon Crowford free kick and Craig Herrod scored through a crowd of players.

Matters took a new twist at the interval when Bideford officials said they could not restore power to the failed pylon and referee Andy Rodda had a long meeting with his assistants before deciding the second half could start.

Bideford got the all-important early goal only three minutes into second half as they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and Nick Barker curled the ball past keeper Ryan Lewis.

Although the pylon flickered back into life for a few minutes after the re-start, it then went out again but there was still plenty of good football from both sides to light up the pitch.

Craig Herrod saw a shot cleared off the line and then another blocked by Griffiths, while, at the other end, Bideford’s Anthony Mason rounded keeper Ryan Lewis only for defender Daniel Short to get back and clear his goalbound effort.

The game then took an ugly turn midway through the half as Wellington striker Shane Kingston, playing against his former club, caught another ex-Taunton player Darren Hawkings and the defender had to be stretchered off with ligament damage.

Kingston received a yellow card for his sins and, when play re-started, was subjected to some rough treatment from his marker, which went unseen by the officials.

The injury meant Mr Rodda played eight minutes of added time and Bideford threw men forward in search of an equaliser.

But Wellington defended like heroes and fully deserved their celebrations at the final whistle.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Marcus Vaughan, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Aaron Deeks. Substitutes, Darren Stone and Matt Naylor (used), Simon Ingram (not used).