Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON Reserves picked up their first win since gaining promotion to the Devon and Exeter League’s premier division last night (Tuesday).

After being pipped 2-1 at Thorverton last Saturday – Craig Aspin scoring the goal – they bounced back with a convincing 3-0 victory at Feniton.

Aspin was again on target as the reserves led 1-0 at half-time and the other goals came from Matt Coleman and young Alex Evans.

Toolstation League division one: Bradford Town 0, Wellington 3

RAMPANT Wellington continued their dream start to the season with a convincing victory in the Wiltshire heat last Saturday.
Their fourth win out of five games – plus one draw – meant that they maintained their position at the top of the division … and have only conceded one goal so far.
Leigh Robinson’s well-organised side tore Bradford apart from the kick-off and scored three times to wrap the game up before half-time.
And, if the second half was something of an anti-climax, that was hardly a surprise as the energy-sapping conditions took their toll on both teams.
Wellington took only two minutes to open the scoring when a Craig Herrod cross was punched out only as far as Greg Blenkinsop, who produced a perfectly-placed lob into the back of the net.
The visitors totally dominated the opening exchanges and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage midway through the half, striker Nick Woon heading home a cross from Matt Fowler.
Bradford should have reduced the arrears shortly afterwards when Steve Roddy raced clear only to shoot wide as keeper Ryan Lewis rushed from his goal.
But that was the home side’s clearest chance of the match and Wellington extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Herrod robbed a defender, raced down the left and his cross ended up in the net with the help of a deflection off a home defender.
Wellington lost central defender Daniel Short with an ankle injury at half-time but his replacement Graham Burne slotted well into their rock-solid defence.
Neither team created a clearcut opening after the break and the closest either came to scoring was a fierce shot from Wellington’s Andy Butler, which flew just over the bar.
Wellington: Lewis, Mawford, Short, Holland, Fowler, Blenkinsop, Ingram, Butler, Herrod, Woon, S Anthony. Substitutes, Burne, do Rosario and Clough (all used).

UNBEATEN Wellington remain top of the first division table after inflicting a first defeat of the season on Minehead at the Playing Field last night (Wednesday).

The margin of victory – 3-1 – could have been even greater as Wellington also missed a penalty and hit the post.

But the visitors almost clawed their way back into the game despite having a man sent off early in the second half.

Minehead started brightly and could have taken the lead as home defender Daniel Short cleared off the line before keeper Ryan Lewis pulled off a magnificent double save.

But it was Wellington who broke the deadlock after 28 minutes when Greg Blenkinsop’s spectacular volley flew into the top corner.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 as ex-Minehead striker Nick Woon turned home a Simon Ingram corner to open his account for the season.

And when Minehead defender Dave Galby was sent off for swearing at the referee, the result did not seem in doubt.

But Woon missed a 53rd minute penalty for Wellington, hitting the post after a foul on Craig Herrod, and then Minehead pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute through Adam Sparkes.

Although Shaun Anthony also hit the upright shortly afterwards, Wellington were not safe until four minutes from time when the striker was sent racing clear to drill home their third goal.

Wellington: Lewis, Herrod, Short, Holland, D Anthony, Blenkinsop, Ingram, Butler, Herrod, S Anthony. Subs, Clough, Fowler and Fitzgerald (all used).

Wellington are back on their travels this Saturday when they are away to Bradford Town.

WELLINGTON are riding high at the top of the first division table, having so far won two and drawn the other of their matches.

They dropped their first points of the season when they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Almondsbury on Saturday.

But prior to that, they notched up two wins – 3-0 at Clevedon United on the opening day of the season and then 2-0 at Bridport the following Tuesday.

Leigh Robinson was given a dream start as manager as his side cruised to a 3-0 victory against Clevedon at the Hand Stadium. Robinson, who took over in the summer, described the victory as a “classic away win” as goals from Eubio do Rosario (2) and Simon Ingram earned a comprehensive result.

Wellington could have taken the lead in the opening few minutes when do Rosario, making his league debut, intercepted a back pass but went too wide and couldn’t get the ball back across.

They enjoyed more territory in the first quarter of the game but, other than corners and a few free-kicks, created little in the way of chances.

Wellington’s back four stood up to the task and new keeper Ryan Lewis displayed some sound handling.

The visitors came more into the game as the half wore on and it came as no surprise when do Rosario gave them the lead two minutes before the break, receiving the ball on the edge of the box before toe poking home.

That set the pattern for the rest of the half as Wellington laid siege on the hosts’ goal. They eventually doubled the advantage 20 minutes from time when Nick Woon went down the right and cut the ball back for substitute Ingram to side foot home. Skipper Ingram was on the bench due to a niggling hamstring injury.

The win was secured just before the end when do Rosario scored a carbon copy of his first goal.

Wellington v Clevedon: Ryan Lewis, Simon Elsley, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Dave Anthony, Craig Mawford, James Clough, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Eubio do Rosario, Nick Woon. Subs: Simon Ingram, Greg Blenkinsop, Mark Fitzgerald.

Wellington started the brighter at Bridport and took the lead on 20 minutes when skipper Ingram played a great through ball to Craig Herrod who finished first time from the corner of the box. The game then deteriorated into a scrappy affair with neither side creating any chances to speak of.

After the break, Wellington’s inability to keep the ball saw them put under pressure but their back four were equal to anything the hosts had to offer them.

The visitors still looked dangerous on the break and sealed victory with 20 minutes left when Andy Butler broke up play inside his own half, released substitute Greg Blenkinsop on the right and his centre was stroked home by Ingram.

Wellington v Bridport: Ryan Lewis, Simon Elsley, Dan Short, Scott Holland, Dave Anthony, Craig Mawford, Andy Butler, Simon Ingram, Craig Herrod, Eubio do Rosario, Nick Woon. Subs: James Clough, Shaun Anthony, Greg Blenkinsop.

WELLINGTON came within two minutes of claiming their second Toolstation Premier scalp in a week as they drew 3-3 at Willand on Tuesday night.

Giving another promising display, Leigh Robinson’s side went ahead after five minutes with a superb dipping shot by Greg Blenkinsop only for Willand to equalise almost immediately through Dougie James.

Shaun Anthony restored Wellington’s advantage after 19 minutes after linking up well with Craig Herrod before veteran Phil Everett scored a second equaliser for Willand before the break.

Wellington created the better chances in the second half and looked to have scored the winner with ten minutes remaining as a Herrod shot was turned in off the chest of the lively Eubio Rosario, who signed Toolstation forms after the game.

But Willand snatched a late equaliser as the visitors failed to deal with a high ball into the box and Dave Hambly volleyed home.

WELLINGTON built on their impressive midweek victory at Chard Town with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Devon and Exeter League outfit Exmouth Amatuers on Saturday.

Midfielder Andy Butler gave Wellington the lead with Dan Short and Craig Herrod giving the visitors a 3-0 lead at the break.

After half time, Chris Saunders and James Clough extended the lead before Brad Evans made it 5-1.

But Wellington were to have the last word with Herrod heading his second of the afternoon.