Wellington AFC

FA Carlsberg Vase Extra Preliminary Round: Ilfracombe 3, Wellington 7

WELLINGTON responded to manager Leigh Robinson’s call for more firepower with a seven-goal salvo in the FA Vase at Ilfracombe last Saturday.

Having failed to score in their previous two games, they thrashed their Toolstation premier rivals to earn £800 in prizemoney and an away tie at SW Peninsular League side Tavistock on September 20.

Despite missing three key players from their starting line-up – skipper Simon Ingram (hamstring), fellow midfielder Andy Robertson (unavailable) and striker Darren Stone (ankle), Wellington never looked back after a blistering start in a one-side contest.

They took the lead with what will surely be one of the quickest goals of the season, scored in only ten seconds as Craig Herrod pulled the ball back, Shane Kingston stepped over it and strike partner Aaron Deeks swept it home.

And things got even better after eight minutes when Deeks followed up his first goal for the club by making room for himself before curling a delightful shot over keeper Steve Oliver.

Ilfracombe, coached by former Wellington boss Dave Sheehan and with prolific striker Leon Taswell playing against his former club, pulled a goal back midway through the half when Ricky Marinario drilled home a free kick from the edge of the area.

But the visitors’ response was immediate as they scored three more times before the interval to virtually kill off the tie,

25 minutes – Defender Jack Adams produced an equally stunning free kick from more than 25 yards out.

42 minutes – The lively Kingston robbed a defender wide out and burst forward before sending over a cross, which was knocked home by Deeks to complete his hat-trick.

43 minutes – Jon Crowford was sent racing clear and his shot was thundered in off the underside of the bar by unfortunate Ilfracombe defender James Mayne.

There was still time for the home side to complete a remarkable half by making it 5-2 through Aiden Harper-Penman’s powerful drive and, even in stoppage time, Taswell lifted his only chance of the game over the bar.

It was hardly surprising that the second half was a more tame affair with Wellington increasing their lead as Marcus Vaughan, pushed up to deputise for Ingram in central midfield, scored from another Herrod pullback after 69 minutes.

To their credit, Ilfracombe refused to lie down and pulled another goal back in the 78th minute as keeper Ryan Lewis failed to deal with a through ball and let in Mark Clunie to net.

But Wellington had the final say in the last minute, Kingston capping his best display on the season with a lightning turn and finish past Oliver.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Marcus Vaughan, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Aaron Deeks. Substitutes, Simon Ingram, Matt Naylor, Steve Perkins (all used).

Toolstation League premier division: Sherborne Town 1, Wellington 0.

WELLINGTON suffered another frustrating day as they went down to an odd-goal defeat last Saturday.

As in their previous match at Bristol Manor Farm, Leigh Robinson’s side did not deserve to come away empty handed and yet seem to have lost that killer touch in front of goal.

There was never much to choose between Wellington and Sherborne – similar to last season when both matches between the sides ended in draws.

Sherborne almost went ahead after 17 minutes when a header from Sam Jarman came back off the bar with keeper Ryan Lewis well beaten.

And they did take the lead of the stroke of half time as Wellington failed to clear their lines and, when the ball was played back in from the right, skipper Marc Caines rose to head past Lewis.

Wellington thought they had equalised seven minutes into the second half as a frantic scramble in the Sherborne area ended with the ball being knocked home from close range by another Aussie striker Matt Naylor on his debut.

But as the visitors started their celebrations, they were cut short because the referee’s assistant had his flag raised for offside.

Wellington were getting more into their stride and started to produce the football which has given them such an encouraging start to life in the premier division.

And it was a trademark flowing move which produced their best chance as substitute Aaron Deeks played skipper Simon Ingram into space in the box but he went for placement rather than power and keeper James Smith got down to save.

That resulted in a barrage attacks as Wellington took the game to Sherborne, although they also looked more vulnerable on the break and Lewis had to produce a couple of smart saves to keep his side in the game.

Wellington’s Jon Crowford volleyed over from six yards out in the dying minutes but they could not get the vital breakthrough their efforts deserved.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Marcus Vaughan, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Robertson, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Matt Naylor. Substitutes, Andy Butler, Aaron Deekes and Jack Adams (all used).

Toolstation League Premier Division: Bristol Manor Farm 2, Wellington 0

WELLINGTON fell victim to a smash and grab raid as they tasted defeat for the first time since being promoted to the Toolstation premier in Bristol last Saturday.

They played their opponents off the park for 85 minutes, doing everything but score, only to concede a pair of goals in the dying minutes.

The plaudits they received afterwards from the match officials, home management and supporters for their performance counted for nothing as they trailed back down the M5 empty handed.

Leigh Robinson’s side picked up where they left off from their win at Hallen by tearing into their opponents.

But they came up against a stunning performance by keeper Lee Ballard, some stubborn defending and were also thwarted twice by the woodwork.

Wellington created chance after chance in the first half without finding a way past Ballard, whose best was a superb double save to deny Shane Kingston and then Craig Herrod, who seemed odds-on to score.

The visitors suffered a blow when new Aussie striker Darren Stone limped off with an ankle injury just before the half-hour but refused to let that knock them out of their stride with Scott Holland flicking a header against the top of the bar.

For their part, Manor Farm threatened occasionally on the break and visiting keeper Ryan Lewis did well to save from Ben Hiscox.

After the break, Wellington continued to press forward without being able to make the vital breakthrough and, when sub Aaron Deekes saw his shot come back off the bar, it really looked like one of those days.

And their failure to turn possession into goals was punished nine minutes from time as a long throw into the Wellington box saw Carl Rutter rise unchallenged to head into the far top corner of the net.

To rub salt into the visitors’ wounds, Manor Farm made the game safe in injury time as sub James Stephens made room for himself before curling a pinpoint shot past Lewis.

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

WELLINGTON boss Robinson was assisted on the bench by midfielder Danny Cockram, who suffered a serious head injury on holiday after the end of last season.

Cockram, who also played for Taunton Town, is making a good recovery but has been told by doctors that he should not play football for a year.

WELLINGTON Football Club’s ground improvements are gathering pace prior to their first home game in the Toolstation League’s premier division on September 13.

The club must spend in the region of £100,000 on improving their facilities at the Playing Field after winning the division one championship last season.

Hand-standing has already been laid at both ends of the ground along with the base for a 100-seat grandstand, which is being delivered on August 30.

The following Saturday, September 6, the four floodlights on the cricket-pitch side of the ground will be put up and then work will take place on the screening which will run down that entire length.

Two dugouts capable of seating eight people are being provided and work is also planned to upgrade the floodlights.

Funding for the work has been obtained from various sources including a grant from the Football Foundation.

“This is one of the most important phases in the club’s history,” said chairman Ken Bird.

“We have not only stepped up a level on the pitch, we are doing exactly the same off it. It’s a challenge but everything will be in place by the time we take on Hallen at the Playing Field on September 13.”

The club are looking for a local firm or individuals, who could put up and take down the screen – which consists of 64 fencing panels – for each home game. Anyone interested should ring 07967-339625.

Anyone who can help on August 30 (9am) or September 6 (8.30am) should ring the same number please or just turn up on the day.

WELLINGTON warmed up for Saturday’s return to league action with a 3-1 friendly win away to Somerset County League side Burnham United last night.

Skipper Simon Ingram chipped Wellington in front after 12 minutes and striker Aaron Deekes scored with a sweet volley from Craig Mawford’s cross on the half-hour.

Central defender Daniel Short headed home an Ingram corner before Burnham pulled a goal back just before half-time.

The second half was scoreless as the game fizzled out in the gathering gloom.

On Saturday, Wellington are away to Bristol Manor Farm in the Toolstation premier division.

WELLINGTON’S 3-1 victory at Hallen last Wednesday has received glowing praise from an unusual source … the opposition!

The match report on the Hallen website reads as follows:

“Wellington came to Moorhouse Lane tonight and produced one of the most polished exhibitions of probing, possession football that you are ever likely to see.

“It was one of the best performances that I have seen at this level, and without the heroics of Richard Weston in the home goal, they could easily have had eight.

“It was a joy to watch, but I have now joined Graham Taylor – ‘do I not like orange.'”

AS Wellington were without a game last Saturday, a friendly has been hastily arranged for tonight (Tuesday).

The game is away to Somerset County League side Burnham United – now managed by former Wellington midfielder Neil Seymour – and it kicks off at 7pm.

Wellington are away to Bristol Manor Farm in the Toolstation League premier division on Saturday.

NEWLY-PROMOTED Wellington opened their win account in the Toolstation premier division with a stylish 3-1 victory at Hallen last night.

After their opening-day draw at Calne on Saturday, Leigh Robinson’s side thoroughly deserved to take the points against a side managed by ex-Taunton Town boss Gary Domone.

Wellington were on top from the start and created a number of openings but it was Hallen who took the lead against the run of play after 34 minutes.

Keeper Ryan Lewis did well to keep out Runalko Mowat’s powerful header, but the ball came out to Tony Beecham, who hooked it into the net.

Wellington refused to let their heads drop and equalised just before the hour mark with a low drive by new signing Andy Robertson.

And it was another new boy, Australian striker Darren Stone, who put them ahead after 70 minutes, turning home a Shane Kingston cross.

Lewis then pulled off a fantastic save to deny Hallen sub Tom Blyth and it proved to be a pivotal moment as Wellington scored their decisive third goal almost immediately.

More slick passing carved open the Hallen defence again and this time it was Kingston, who turned home a Craig Herrod cross.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Marcus Vaughan, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Robertson, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Shane Kingston. Substitutes, Andy Butler, Daniel Short and Aaron Deekes (all used).

A PAIR of goalkeeping errors at either end of the game saw Wellington start life in back in the Toolstation premier division with a deserved away point at Calne on Saturday.

The first division champions got off to the worst possible start as a nightmare journey of more than three hours forced them straight off the team bus, into change and then kick off immediately – twenty minutes late.

And their lack of warm-up could well have been a factor to them falling behind after only three minutes as keeper Ryan Lewis sliced a backpass straight to Glen Armstrong, who dispatched it into the net.

Chances were few and far between as the home side often put ten men back behind the ball and it looked like Wellington would be making the long journey home empty handed.

But as the game entered injury time, home keeper Steve Allison’s clearance hit Shane Kingston and looped up into the air before dropping into the net.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Marcus Vaughan, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Robertson, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Aaron Deeks. Substitutes, Daniel Short, Graham Burne, Steve Perkins (all used).

On Wednesday night, Wellington are away to Hallen in the premier division (7.45).

WELLINGTON’S final pre-season friendly at Cullompton tonight (Tuesday) has been cancelled because of a waterlogged pitch.

Wellington start their campaign back in the Toolstation League’s premier division with a long trip to Calne Town on Saturday.