Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON moved back to the top of the table with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Westbury on Saturday.

And it was a game defender Mark Branton, making his debut, will never forget. The left-back, signed from premier division Hallen, had a penalty awarded against him with 15 minutes remaining, allowing Westbury to break the deadlock.

But – after another newcomer Danny Cockram had equalised – Branton popped up in the home side’s penalty area to head an injury-time winner.

Without suspended skipper Simon Ingram and the injured Shane Kingston and Dan Boere, Wellington boss Leigh Robinson had three new signings in his starting line-up, including wide man Jon Crowford, who has re-joined the club.

And two of them almost played a part in giving Wellington an early lead as Crowford released Alex Pounde and his cross found Cockram but the ex-Taunton Town player’s shot was blocked.

The game was a lacklustre affair until it exploded into life in the final stages. Stand-in skipper Andy Butler went closest to scoring in the first half with an 11th-minute header which came down off the underside of the bar.

But neither side created a clearcut chance after the interval until Westbury went ahead in controversial circumstances in the 75th minute.

Ashley Groves swung over a cross from the right, which hit the covering Branton, and the referee’s assistant ruled he had handled, Wayne Wheeler scoring from the spot.

The Wellington response was virtually immediate as Crowford floated over a cross from the right and Cockram rose above everyone to head the equaliser. That was the signal for the visitors to stage a late rally and they were rewarded in the third minute of added time.

Substitute Jack Adams chipped the ball up to the far post where Nick Woon headed it against the bar and Branton nodded it over the line to spark wild joy among the Wellington players and bench.

Wellington: Stuart Wood, Craig Mawford, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Mark Branton, Jon Crowford, Andy Butler, Danny Cockram, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Substitutes, Jack Adams, Matt Brown and Tim Legg (all used).

WITHOUT a match for the past two Saturdays, Wellington returned to action with a friendly against Peninsular League side Ottery St Mary at the Playing Field last night (Wednesday).

And Leigh Robinson’s side ran out 3-0 winners of a keenly-fought match.

Central defender Scott Holland put them ahead in the first half with a thumping header.

And they sealed victory with two goals after the break from skipper Simon Ingram, the first a tap-in and the second a superbly-executed free kick.

Unfortunately, Ingram is suspended for Saturday’s trip to Wiltshire to play Westbury United.

But on a brighter note, the Wellington line-up against Ottery included Jon Crowford, who is rejoining the club.

AFTER nearly three weeks without a game, Wellington manager Leigh Robinson has arranged to play a friendly tonight (Wednesday).

The match will be against Peninsular League side Ottery St Mary at the Playing Field, kicking off at 7.45.

Ironically, Robinson was appointed manager of Ottery at the end of the last season but almost immediately quit to rejoin Wellington as boss.

Wellington’s enforced run without a game has seen Sherborne Town take over at the top of the table.

On Saturday, Wellington will be hoping to return to league action when they travel to Wiltshire to take on Westbury United.

Toolstation League division one: Portishead 3, Wellington 1

AFTER nine successive wins, the Wellington bubble finally burst as they suffered defeat in the Portishead mud yesterday (Saturday).

Wellington went ahead after 18 minutes as Craig Herrod skipped past a defender and sent over a cross for Nick Woon to head home.

Portishead should have got back on terms shortly afterwards when they were awarded a penalty for Scott Holland’s tackle on Russell Gregory.

The striker picked himself up to see his spot-kick well saved by Scott Wells-Burr only for the referee to order it to be re-taken as a Wellington play had encroached into the box. Gregory’s second effort was comfortably blocked by Wells-Burr.

Portishead equalised just before the break. Wells-Burr failed to gather a Steve Lafford shot and Gregory pounced to score.

The home side took the lead only four minutes into the second half as Wells-Burr saved a shot from Gregory but defender Jack Adams then sliced his clearance into his own net.

And Portishead made the game safe after 72 minutes when a low cross found Gregory, who made room for himself before shooting home.

Wellington: Scott Wells-Burr, Craig Mawford, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Alex Pounde, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Dan Boere, Nick Woon. Subs: Shane Kingston, Dan Hollands, Tim Legg (all used).

IT’S a blank day for Wellington AFC with all three games for our senior sides called off because of waterlogged pitches.

The two in-form sides in the Toolstation division one had been due to meet at Larkhall but the Bath side’s pitch failed an 11.15 inspection.

And the Reserves’ game at home to Sidmouth was called off around the same time.

A hat-trick of postponements was completed with the third team game away to Civil Service also falling foul to the weather.

Anyone fancy a game of scrabble?

Toolstation League Division 1: Wellington 4, Longwell Green 1.

WELLINGTON are becoming the runaway leaders of the first division after yet another win at the wind-swept Playing Field last Saturday.

It was a ninth successive victory for Leigh Robinson’s team and meant they ended 2007 sitting nine points clear of their nearest rival at the top of the table having scored 19 goals in their four games in December.

They took control during the first half against Longwell Green and were 3-0 up at the break with the points virtually in the bag.Wellington went ahead after 29 minutes as a fierce drive by Dan Boere was parried by keeper Mark Britten for Shane Kingston to pounce on the rebound.

The visitors suffered a blow shortly afterwards when Britten was forced out of the action with a hand injury and had to be replaced in goal by defender Ryan Gardner. The stand-in keeper was powerless to stop Wellington scoring twice more before the break as Nick Woon glanced home a shot by skipper Simon Ingram and then unselfishly set up Alex Pounde for the third.

Longwell Green refused to lie down and pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half when a shot by sub Mark Cooper came back off the bar for Dan Tanner to nod home. The biting gale took its toll as the game wore on but it was Wellington who restored their three-goal advantage after 67 minutes.

Pounde, who has been so impressive since his move from Taunton Blackbrook, turned inside a defender and sent in a low shot, which Gardner could not hold allowing Woon to score his second of the game.

Wellington: Scott Wells-Burr, Craig Mawford, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Nathaniel Short, Alex Pounde, Simon Ingram, Dan Boere, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Nick Woon. Subs: Andy Butler, Tim Legg, Mark Thompson (all used).

WELLINGTON made it eight successive wins as they beat bottom club Elmore 4-1 in Tiverton on Boxing Day.

But the division one leaders had to recover after a poor first half display to notch up the points.

Once again, skipper Simon Ingram was in the goals, hitting a second successive hat-trick to make it 22 for the season.

Two of his strikes came from the spot and another after his penalty was saved and he followed up to score.

Another boost for Wellington was the news that title rivals Sherborne were beaten by Bridport.

The game got off to an exciting start with Wellington’s Craig Mawford heading off the line. From their first attack, in the second minute, Alex Pounde was brought down and Ingram netted from the spot.

Elmore, who belied their lowly league position, then got on top and equalised after 20 minutes when the ball was chipped over the defence and Brett Worby fired home first time.

Wellington boss Leigh Robinson reacted to the poor first half showing by make a double substitution with Shane Kingston and Dan Boere coming on for Andy Butler and Craig Mawford.

And the second half was one-way traffic with Wellington clinching the points with two goals in as many minutes midway through the half.

After 70 minutes, Craig Herrod was felled in the box. Ingram’s kick was saved but he followed up to score. Then, Nick Woon scored the goal of the game with a spectacular volley from long range to make it 3-1.

Wellington sewed up the points five minutes from time when Nano Short was fouled in the area and Ingram completed his hat-trick.

Wellington: Scott Wells-Burr, Graham Burne, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Nano Short, Craig Mawford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Subs: Dan Boere, Shane Kingston, Tim Legg (all used).

WELLINGTON are home to Longwell Green in a league game tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

IT’S top v bottom on Boxing Day when Wellington travel to Tiverton to take on struggling Elmore with a 12.30pm kick-off.

The Wellington squad will include Nathaniel Short, who is home from America for Christmas and the New Year.

Short’s international clearance was obtained in time for Saturday’s match at Shrewton, but unfortunately it then fell victim to a frozen pitch.

Meanwhile, the reserves maintained their title challenge in the Devon and Exeter premier with a fine 2-1 win at home to Clyst Valley on Saturday.

John Norman’s side trailed at half-time but hit back after the break with a penalty from Craig Aspin and a headed winner from Tim Legg.

WELLINGTON have beaten Southern League neighbours Taunton Town to the signature of highly-rated Nathaniel Short, who is home for Christmas from the USA.

‘Nano’ – whose brother Daniel plays in central defence for Wellington – coaches in the States.

He had been expected to join Taunton for the Christmas and New Year period but signed Western League forms last night (Wednesday).

Wellington are now trying to ensure his international clearance comes through quickly so that he can be part of the squad for the long trip to Shrewton on Saturday.

After that, Wellington are away to Elmore on Boxing Day (12.30pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, Sherborne Town suffered a shock defeat away to Clevedon United last night which has used up one of their games in hand on leaders Wellington.

In other local football news, Taunton Town have appointed Ian Jones as their new manager.

He succeeds Wellington-based Gary Damone, who resigned at the weekend citing personal reasons.

Toolstation League division one: Wellington 5, Clevedon United 1

RAMPANT Wellington made it seven wins on the bounce as they demolished Clevedon United at the Playing Field last Saturday.

Manager Leigh Robinson collected his second Manager of the Month award before the game and, if his table toppers continue their form over Christmas, he should make it three in December.

Another person celebrating a treble is skipper Simon Ingram, who scored a hat-trick against Clevedon United to take his total for the season to 19 goals – a remarkable tally from midfield.

Wellington got off to a blistering start with two goals in the first 15 minutes, Andy Butler putting them ahead with a rasping drive before Ingram produced a delightful curler.

But the home side went off the boil after that and Clevedon almost clawed their way back into the game when Nick Lee beat keeper Scott Wells-Burr but defender Jack Adams produced an excellent goalline clearance.

Although Clevedon had appeals for a penalty turned down after the break, there was only really one side in it as Wellington ran in three more goals.

Nick Woon made it 3-0 from close range after keeper Mark Selway could only parry an Ingram shot with the visitors appealing in vain for offside.

And Woon then turned provider as he set up Ingram to fire home his second of the game after 70 minutes.

The striker was again at the centre of the action three minutes later when he was brought down in the penalty area by Andy Woodland and Ingram completed his treble from the spot.

Robinson could even afford to substitute his skipper after that although Clevedon did pull back a consolation goal as Craig Knight headed home a corner.

Wellington: Scott Wells-Burr, Tim Legg, Scott Holland, Daniel Short, Jack Adams, Craig Mawford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Nick Woon, Alex Pounde. Substitutes, Shane Kingston, Danial Boere and Adam Manley (all used).