Wellington AFC

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.