Wellington AFC

Wellington Reserves were hit for six at Exeter University in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League last weekend when the students were caught cold early on and fell behind to the Tangerines second string, but then played some delightful football and replied six times before Wellington rallied and halved the deficit in the end.

Wellington took the lead early on as University got into a tangle at the back and the ball fell to Sam Bryant who looped the ball over the keeper to his left and the shot dipped into the back of the net and Wellington had a dream start; but it was then as if University remembered how to play and they went on a six goal rampage that saw them breach Wellington’s back line with too much ease too often as wave after wave of student attack always saw Chris Cherry in Wellington’s goal having to do too much work for his liking – he was beaten three times in the first half and three times in the second half as University seemed as is they could score at will – they played some great stuff and you have to admire that.

Wellington’s play was good when they did have the ball through Bryant, James Garrad and Joe Enticott and this did expose University’s having a suspect back line, but they had too much possession and quality to be undone for too long at any one time.

Cherry saved a penalty and Wellington took the opportunity to use Mark Owen, Oli Nott and Liam Carroll before the end of the game and this saw the margin reduced from five goals to three as Sam Bryant got a second and Joe Enticott Wellington’s third.

A rare home game is next up for the side as the slickness of the University is swapped for the sledgehammer quality that St Martins bring to the game.

WELLINGTON thumped Wells City 6-3 in the Somerset Premier Cup at the Playing Field on Wednesday night.

Leading the way was skipper Simon Ingram, who scored four goals – three of them from penalties.

Wellington go through to the second round, where they will be at home to the winners of the tie between Chard Town and Taunton Town.

We are to host a Charity Dance with live music from local band Home Brew in the Clubhouse on Saturday 23rd October between 8pm and midnight.

This is sure to be an excellent evening and for further details and to book tickets please contact WAFC’s Keith Davey (0797 792 4707) and Andy Thorne (0784 133 0543) or Home Brew’s own Theresa Chard (01823 660728).

FA Carlsberg Vase first round: Wellington 5, Tavistock 0.

WELLINGTON put their poor league form behind them as they sent Tavistock of the South West Peninsular premier division crashing out of the Vase at the Playing Field yesterday.

Wellington got off to a flying start with two goals in the first 15 minutes.

Joe Dakwa drove home the first after eight minutes before skipper Simon Ingram produced a crashing volley seven minutes later.

Wellington virtually sewed the tie up five minutes before the break when Craig-John Laird rose to head home a corner.

And they added further goals after the break from a Laird chip and a clinical finish by Craig Herrod.

On Wednesday, Wellington are in Somerset Premier Cup action when they entertain Toolstation premier rivals Wells City, kick-off 7.30pm.

The winners will be home to either Chard Town or Taunton Town in the next round.

Wellington Reserves lost for a fifth time in a row to their Budleigh counterparts in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter Football League, but this performance was not deserving a three goal margin as a petty and inefficient referee blighted the game.
 
Wellington – forced to field Steve Luxon in goal – were behind early on after their back line had been caught very flat and a Budleigh attacker strode through and lifted the ball over Luxon.
 
The game then improved from Wellington’s perspective, but they were guilty of playing too much slack, loose ball as well, but Budleigh Salterton did not really gain the foothold in the game that their good start should have brought about; going forward the home side were good, but a dicey back line always gave Wellington hope as Sam Bryant was a bag of tricks and James Garrad played some nice balls over the top for Oli Nott and Nathan Thomas to try and run on to.
 
It stayed 1-0 to Budleigh Salterton when half time was called.
 
Going into the second half Wellington were the better side, but could not force the door open and claim an equaliser; John Matthews played well on the right wing and got the ball into the box, so well on one occasion that Luke Perry – a second half substitute – was clattered to the ground, but no penalty was given by a referee who did not win many fans from the away side.
 
Pete Manning almost slammed one into the roof of the net, but saw the ball go just over from a corner and this was the cue for Budleigh Salterton to run away and get goals two and three to leave Wellington facing no way back sadly and that is how it ended.
 
Saturday 9th October brings a game at Exeter University Reserves with a 3.00pm KO.

Toolstation League premier division: Street 7, Wellington 1.

WELLINGTON’S poor start to the new Toolstation premier season plumbed new depths as they crashed to a humiliating defeat at Street on Saturday.
Leigh Robinson’s side were made to pay for some woeful defending in a second half which saw them leak six goals.
Street took the lead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes as the referee spotted a handball in a crowded area and James Bisgrove scored from the spot.
Wellington got back into the game seven minutes later when their former keeper Nathan Whatley failed to hold on to Simon Ingram’s free kick and Scott Holland pounced to net.
But Street regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Kye Palmer was left to run clear and net.
The second half started evenly – Craig-John Laird should have done better for Wellington in front of goal – but then Street produced a stunning three-goal blitz in only five minutes through Tom Clifford-Jones (two) and Bisgrove.
Wellington’s defending reached farcical levels nine minutes later as Palmer was left with a tap-in.
And Street defender Jon Cox completed the rout with ten minutes remaining.
Wellington are in league action again on Wednesday when they entertain Ilfracombe Town (7.30pm).

Wellington Reserves kept up their unbeaten record in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter Football League last Saturday when they took a point away from Newtown in a 2-2 draw that was about right across the game as a whole.
 
Wellington – who are fielding a new side at this level following all the changes that the close season brought about – were in the lead in the game quickly as Nathan Thomas ran through a static Newtown back line and slotted home past an equally static keeper and Wellington had a tempo and pace to run the game with, but the Tangerines second string did not press the advantage home and allowed Newtown to turn and pass with too much ease and had they shot better they would have equalised before they actually did – as it was they drew level when a raid down the left wing saw a decent enough ball turned into the Wellington area and it was shot home – past Chris Cherry – to achieve parity.
 
Wellington arose from their sloppy play to take the last part of the first half and had skipper Danny Thomas in good form as he joined up play from the two halves of the pitch.
 
Wellington started the second half well and were disappointed to not go ahead; indeed they were even more disappointed to have a penalty awarded against them after a ruck of players went down to leave Wellington centre back Steve Luxon with a deep head wound and Chris Cherry facing the Newtown keeper, this was a wrong decision and Wellington let it be known so.
 
The penalty was despatched and the side had to come back for the first time in the match knowing they had been on the wrong end of a poor decision, but they had it in them to do so; after Oli Nott had seen an effort come back off the post Joe Enticott got the second Wellington goal with a shot from just outside of the area and not long after time was called and Wellington had a point to take back home with them.

Toolstation League premier division. Wellington 2, Welton Rovers 2.

WELLINGTON threw away two points as they were held to a draw by Welton at the Playing Field on Wednesday night.

It was their first point of the season but that was little consolation as they let a two-goal lead slip with the Welton equaliser coming with virtually the last kick of the game.

Wellington totally dominated the first half and built a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of well-taken goals by Craig Herrod.

But they went off the boil after the break and allowed Welton – managed by former Wellington joint boss Mark Leaney – back into the game.

The visitors pulled a goal back after 58 minutes from Andrew Catley’s long-range dipper.

And they completed their smash and grab raid when Hayden Watts pounced on some poor defending to equalise in injury time.

Wellington are away to Street tomorrow and home to Ilfracombe next Wednesday.

FA Carlsberg Vase second qualifying round: Wellington 2, Merthyr Town 1.

A GOAL four minutes into injury time by defender Lewis Tasker earned Wellington a famous victory over big-spending Merthyr Town at the Playing Field on Saturday.
Wellington took the lead against the run of play after 24 minutes as Craig Herrod beat keeper Joe Perry with a shot from just outside the box.
The Merthyr cause was not helped when central defender Cortez Belle was sent off shortly afterwards for hauling down Herrod as he raced clear.
But Merthyr pressure finally told five minutes from time as sub Lee Smith forced home a corner and the tie was heading for extra time.
As the minutes ticked away, Wellington clinched victory in stunning fashion when Taskerscored with a low shot from more than 30 yards out.
There was still time for the home side to also be reduced to ten men as Craig Mawford was harshly dismissed for a second bookable offence but the Wellington defence held firm.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 1, Hallen 2.

WELLINGTON suffered another frustrating day yesterday as defeat by Hallen left them still looking for their first point of the season.
Hallen – managed by former Taunton Town boss Gary Domone – had only two efforts on goal in the first half, yet scored from both of them and then clung on to their lead for the rest of the game.
The visitors went ahead as Dave Truant flicked the ball past keeper Ryan Lewis.
And midway through the half Tom Collett was allowed to collect a loose ball and drill home a low shot.
Wellington were given a lifeline just before the interval when Simon Ingram was tripped as he turned in the box and picked himself up to score from the penalty spot.
But despite continuing to enjoy much more possession than Hallen, they could not get the equaliser they deserved.
This Saturday, Wellington are in FA Carlsberg Vase action when they entertain Welsh side Merthyr (3pm).