Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON’S new boss Kevin Evans was delighted with the turnout at his first training session as manager of the Toolstation League club.

Over 30 players attended with the majority of last season’s first team squad present.

“I was over the moon with the way the first training session went,” said former Weston St John manager Evans, who recently took over from Ian Jackson.

“To get over 30 for the first session was great and everyone worked very hard. There were 11 or 12 of what I would consider the first team there with a few still to come back due to holidays and other commitments.

“Some players may drift away but there could be a few returning to the club and I’ve also sounded out one or two St John players I’m waiting to hear back from.”

Evans has arranged five pre-season friendlies which are all away. They are: Sat, July 15 Worle (2pm); Sat, July 22 Burnham (2pm), Thurs, July 27 Barnstaple Town (7.45pm); Sat, July 29 Chard Town (2pm); Sat, Aug 5 Westland Utd (Weston-s-M) (3pm).

WELLINGTON Football Club made a profit on the past season, treasurer Tony Bull told the annual meeting last night (Wednesday).

Mr Bull said the surplus of nearly £1,000 represented a turnaround as the Toolstation League division one club had lost £4,000 the previous season.

The long-serving treasurer told the meeting that the clubhouse account showed a profit of £19,330 with the clubhouse bar surplus increasing from £26,411 to £29,075. The playing side of the club had cost £18,474 with nearly £13,000 being spent on team expenses and travelling.

Match officials had also cost the club more than £4,000 and payments to leagues and clubs £3,500. On the positive side, more than £6,700 had been raised in advertising and sponsorship, an increase of more than £1,000, and £2,224 in gate receipts, up from £1,713.

Chairman Ken Bird said it had been a roller coaster season for the club on the playing front and had resulted in a disappointing final league position.

But he hoped the appointment of Kevin Evans as first-team manager and John Norman as reserves player-boss would provide some much-needed stability.

He thanked everyone, who had helped the club during the season, particularly the officers and committee and the team of voluntary bar workers.

Wellington’s changing rooms are undergoing a series of improvements during the close season. Players report back for pre-season training on Tuesday, July 4.

NEW Wellington manager Kevin Evans has set his sights on a mid-table position in Division One of the Toolstation League.

The 48-year-old, who was appointed last week, is also confident he can bring stability to the team after the upheaval of last season.

Weston-super-Mare based Evans was in charge of Toolstation League rivals Weston St Johns last season.

He has previously coached at Western League clubs Torrington, Bishop Sutton and Elmore and took over from Ian Jackson who resigned at the end of the season.

“My main aim is to finish higher than last season and I’m confident we can achieve a mid-table position,” he said.

“I faced Wellington three times last season and they seemed to lack consistency.

“I want to bring some stability to the playing side which was missing because of the changes of manager last season.

“I want to give every player at the club a chance to impress and will only bring in new players if they will improve the side.”

Evans is set to start his first season in full charge of a club.

He took over as manager of St Johns in February and had to combine that with his duties as chairman and secretary.

“I decided I had taken St Johns as far as I could and, when the Wellington job came up, I thought it looked a good challenge and somewhere I could test myself as simply a football manager,” he added.

Evans said he has contacted the majority of last season’s first team squad and no one has informed him they are leaving.

Training starts July 4 and takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

He has, so far, fixed up two friendlies – away to Barnstaple (July 27) and Westland Utd (August 5).

Toolstation League division one: Shrewton United 3, Wellington 1

A PAIR of disputed second half goals ended Wellington’s excellent run as Shrewton United gained a quickfire revenge victory in Wiltshire last Saturday.

Ian Jackson’s side had won four of their previous five games – their only blip coming with a narrow defeat away to runaway leaders Dawlish – including a 4-0 thumping of Shrewton at the Playing Field last month.

But they went into the return fixture without three of the players, who had featured in that run, and so were always going to be up against it against a side with one of the best home records in the league.
Yet they could not have got off to a better start, taking the lead inside the first minute with a goal which typified their slick passing of recent weeks.
Simon Ingram played the ball forward to Nick Woon, whose neat pass put in Greg Jackson – playing up front in place of broken hand victim Jon Crowford – and he slotted the ball past keeper Adam Burwell.
But Shrewton hit back to equalise midway through the first half.
And they sealed the points with two more goals after the break – with Wellington defenders appealing in vain for offside on both occasions.
Wellington: Hitchcott, Reader, Jenkins, Bowrah, Tutill, Ingram, Gage, Butler, Norman, Woon, Jackson (G). Substitutes, Elsley and Jackson (I) used; Fitzgerald not used.

Toolstation League division one: Wellington 1, Almondsbury 2

WELLINGTON suffered a disastrous day as they went down to defeat at the hands of an Almondsbury side forced to place the second half with only ten men at the Playing Field.

And to make matters worse, they also had defender Mark Hughes sent off for the second time in less than a week in injury time.

Manager Ian Jackson was able to field a strong line-up, including the return of midfielder Graham Burne from Taunton Town, but his side failed to fire on all cylinders in a game which was ruined by the fierce wind.

Wellington’s goal was again scored by striker Nick Woon.

WELLINGTON bounced back from two successive home defeats to earn a point from a goalless draw at Shepton Mallet on February 21st.

But they will again have been disappointed not to have come away with a win after dominating the game for long periods.

And their night was spoiled in injury time when key defender Mark Hughes was sent off for a bad tackle.

Manager Ian Jackson was forced into wholesale changes from the side which lost to Bridport last Saturday and his line-up included Blackbrook striker Christian Woon alongside his brother Nick in attack.

Toolstation League division one: Wellington 0, Longwell Green 1

WELLINGTON suffered their first defeat of 2006 as they were pipped by the odd goal against Longwell Green at the Playing Field.

Ian Jackson’s side were bitterly disappointed to end up empty handed after dominating the game for long spells.
Longwell Green scored the all-important only goal with 12 minutes – and it was in controversial circumstances.
Andy Butler was flattened into the net as Wellington cleared a goalmouth scramble and, when the ball was played back in through a crowd of players, the home defence had pushed out and sub Dale Riley was left on his own to shoot past Dave Attwood
The referee’s assistant flagged for offside but was overruled by the ref because Butler had staggered to his feet, come back on to the field of play and so was playing Riley onside.
Wellington threw men forward in search of an equaliser, which was the least they deserved for their efforts.
But the closest they came was another Crowford header, which was gathered by keeper Lee Ballard.
Wellington: Attwood, Jenkins, Andrews, Hughes, Jackson (G), Butler, Tutill, Gage, Bowrah, Crowford, Woon. Substitutes, Ingram and Fitzgerald (used), Jackson (I) (not used).

Toolstation League division one: Wellington 6, Elmore 1

RAMPANT Wellington hit six goals for the second time in three games as they clinically disposed of struggling Elmore at the Playing Field on February 4th.

Leading scorer Nick Woon led the way with four goals although Ian Jackson’s side had to recover from conceding an early goal to the first division’s bottom side.

The other scorers were John Norman and Jon Crowford.

The victory extended Wellington’s unbeaten run to five games and ensured they have still avoided defeat in 2006.

Meanwhile, the reserve team game at Bickleigh was called off because of a frozen pitch.

WELLINGTON had a wasted journey to Shepton Mallet as the referee called the game off owing to a frozen pitch.

Meanwhlle, the Reserves drew 1-1 at home to promotion rivals Halwill while the third team lost 3-1 away to Norton Reserves.

WELLINGTON’S unbeaten run continued with a 2-0 win over Saltash at the Playing Field on Saturday, January 21st.

Wellington scored a goal in each half through Greg Jackson and John Norman.

The Reserves were without a game while the thirds notched up a fine 5-2 win in the Taunton Saturday League.