Wellington AFC

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 3, Calne Town 2.

WELLINGTON broke the 50-point barrier in their first season back in the premier division with a hard-earned victory over Calne Town at the Playing Field on Saturday.

But it took a late goal from Aussie striker Darren Stone to clinch the points and end a spirited fightback by the visitors from Wiltshire.

Wellington got off to a dream start with a goal of the highest quality after only seven minutes.

Daniel Short sent Stone racing away up the right and his low cross was cleverly turned back by skipper Simon Ingram for leading scorer Shane Kingston to drive low into the net.

Both sides created half-chances in a scrappy first half and it was Wellington who got the vital second goal eight minutes before the break.

This time, the roles were reversed as Kingston laid the ball back to Ingram who went for placement rather than power and coolly stroked home a low shot.

Disappointingly, rather than build on their lead, Wellington lost their way after the interval and Calne grew stronger as the game progressed.

They pulled a goal back after 73 minutes as Ben Fitch ran in unchallenged to head home a corner with Wellington appealing in vain for a foul.

And when substitute Gary Banks rose at the far post to equalise with another header, it looked like they had done enough to earn a point.

But with four minutes remaining, Ingram produced the pass of the game – a stunning through ball which saw Stone run on and fire first-time past keeper Jason Grubb for the winner.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Daniel Short, Andy Robertson, Jack Adams, Jon Crowford, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Darren Stone. Substitutes, Matt Francis, Luke Desave and Andy Robertson (all used),

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 0, Bitton 1.

WELLINGTON suffered an odd-goal defeat by leaders Bitton at the Playing Field on Saturday.

The home side started brightly with strikers Shane Kingston and Matt Francis almost creating an opening and Darren Stone lifting a shot just over the bar.

Lewis did well to save from Michael Meaker as the striker raced clear while Bitton’s Rob Scott also saw a header bounce down and then over the bar.

Wellington defender Jack Adams had a fierce free-kick pushed over by keeper John Rendell but the game ended with the visitors in angry mood as Mark Reynolds lobbed over with Bitton claiming he had been fouled by Lewis in the process.

Chances were sparse in the second half with Wellington skipper Simon Ingram seeing a free-kick well-saved by Rendell after Stone had been pulled back when racing clear.

At the other end, Meaker shot over from a good position and Scott put another header over the bar before Bitton snatched the points late on.

The game was heading for a goalless draw when the visitors were awarded a free-kick in the 86th minute and Mark Cherry’s low drive seemed to go right through keeper Ryan Lewis before ending up in the net.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Jon Crowford, Daniel Short, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Darren Stone, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Matt Francis. Substitutes, Luke Desave (used), Craig Mawford and Andy Robertson (not used).

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 4, Chard Town 1.

WELLINGTON notched up their second four-goal haul in successive games as they swept aside neighbours Chard Town at the Playing Field last night.

Chard are fighting relegation and had won their previous two matches but they never recovered from conceding an early goal and the game was virtually over by half-time with Wellington leading 3-0.

The home side went ahead after only three minutes as Simon Ingram’s free-kick was flicked on by Shane Kingston for striker partner Matt Francis to fire the ball into the roof of the net.

The first half was keenly contested and took a controversial twist in the 28^th minute as Wellington were awarded a free-kick for handball.

Ingram lifted the ball into the box where Scott Holland ran in unchallenged to head home but Chard’s manager Ian Burns was incensed by the incident and his protests led to him being ordered from the dugout by referee Adam Nunn.

Five minutes later, Wellington increased their lead after another Ingram free-kick came back off the post.

Craig Herrod picked up the rebound on the left, chipped the ball over and Francis rose to head home his fifth goal in two games.

That strike took the sting out of the game and the second half was a tame affair.

But Wellington made it 4-0 in the final minute as Ingram sent Kingston racing clear to produce a cool finish.

Chard had the final say shortly afterwards with a consolation goal as sub Matt Cahill cut inside to score with a fierce shot across keeper Ryan Lewis.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Jon Crowford, Scott Holland, Ricky Davey, Jack Adams, Darren Stone, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Shane Kingston, Matt Francis. Substitutes, Alex Pounde, Mark Thompson and Luke Desave (all used).

On Saturday, Wellington are home to league leaders Bitton at the Playing Field (3pm).

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 4, Radstock Town 0

WELLINGTON bounced back from three successive defeats with a comfortable victory over Radstock at the Playing Field yesterday.

They went into the game on the back of their worst run since Leigh Robinson became manager at the start of last season but ended it without ever needing to slip into top gear.

Wellington went ahead after 18 minutes when the ball broke to Craig Herrod in the box and the winger skipped around keeper Gary Stevens before slotting home.

And they went further ahead nine minutes later when striker Matt Francis rose to head home a trademark free-kick from skipper Simon Ingram.

Radstock only threatened twice on the break but, each time, keeper Ryan Lewis did well to thwart Matt Crouch.

Wellington increased their lead to virtually kill off the contest early in the second half. 

Another Ingram free-kick saw defender Scott Holland produce a back-header, which hit the post before Francis knocked home the rebound.

Wellington had thrown away a two-goal lead as they drew 4-4 at Radstock earlier in the season but they never looked in danger of doing anything other than extend their lead.

And the fourth goal duly arrived seven minutes from time when an Ingram cross was headed down by Jack Adams for Francis to volley home from just outside the area to complete his first hat-trick for the club.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Andy Robertson, Jack Adams, Mark Thompson, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Craig Herrod, Darren Stone, Matt Francis. Substitutes, Graham Burne and Luke Desave (used), Daniel Short (not used).

On Wednesday, Wellington are home to Chard Town in a league game, kick-off 7.45pm.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 2, Bideford 5.

WELLINGTON suffered their third successive premier division defeat as they crashed at home to FA Vase quarter-finalists Bideford at the Playing Field last night.

Leigh Robinson’s side gave a stop-start performance and could not complain about the result although the scoreline flattered Bideford, who struck twice in the last five minutes.

Wellington, who had looked so secure in their previous game away to leaders Bitton, were all over the place in the opening minutes and Bideford could have scored more than the one goal they managed through Shane Tolley.

But the home side broke out to equalise after eight minutes as skipper Simon Ingram played the ball forward to Darren Stone and the Aussie striker used his pace to race clear and net.

That signalled Wellington’s best spell of the game and keeper Ryan Draper pulled off good saves to deny Stone and Jack Adams while Craig Mawford saw a corner come back off the bar.

At the other end, Andy Robertson headed off the line to deny Jamie Densham but Wellington should have gone in ahead at the break as Matt Francis was guilty of missing two gilt-edged chances.

Bideford regained their lead five minutes into the second half when a fine run down the right by Shane Lewis saw his low cross turned home by strike partner Densham.

But Wellington levelled again five minutes later as an Ingram corner reached Scott Holland at the far post and he coolly slotted the ball home.

It was another corner which gave Bideford their vital third goal after 58 minutes – but Wellington will not be happy that Nick Barker’s kick seemed to evade everyone before somehow creeping in at the far post.

Wellington pressed in search of a third equaliser but appeared to run out of ideas as the game wore on.

And they were punished in the dying minutes as the visitors opened up the home defence to run in two well-worked goals scored by Ben Wood and Densham.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Andy Robertson, Jack Adams, Darren Stone, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Ricky Davey, Craig Herrod, Matt Francis. Substitutes, Mark Thompson, Luke Desave and Martin White (not used).

Toolstation League premier division: Bitton 1, Wellington 0.

WELLINGTON suffered their first premier division away defeat since way back on August 30 as they were edged out by title favourites Bitton on Saturday.

But Leigh Robinson’s side could hold their heads high after giving the league leaders a run for their money, only being thwarted by a disputed goal 15 minutes from time.

Despite missing both leading scorer Shane Kingston (unavailable) and defender Dan Short (shoulder injury), Wellington again proved how far they have come under Robinson in their first season back in the top flight.

Bitton are clear leaders and have games in hand on all their rivals yet it was Wellington who carved out the early openings.

Aussie Darren Stone saw a shot turned round the post in the first minute while a far post header from Matt Francis smacked against the upright.

Bitton took the game to Wellington as the half wore on but Rob Scott headed their best chance wide on the half-hour and they also had loud appeals for a penalty turned down shortly afterwards.

Chances were few and far between in a tense game with neither goalkeeper seriously tested and the Wellington defence holding firm with Scott Holland and Andy Robertson outstanding.

But it was finally breached in the 75th minute when a speculative shot by substitute Jake Hallet was turned into the net by striker Mark Reynolds with Wellington appeal vehemently – but in vain – that he was offside.

The visitors threw men forward in search of the equaliser their efforts deserved but the closest they came was a low drive by skipper Simon Ingram, which fizzed just wide.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Scott Holland, Andy Robertson, Jack Adams, Darren Stone, Simon Ingram, Andy Butler, Ricky Davey, Craig Herrod, Matt Francis. Substitutes, Mark Thompson and Luke Desave (used), Jon Crowford (not used).

AFTER the cancellation of last night’s Toolstation League premier division game at Willand, Wellington now have a midweek home game next week.

They take on Bideford at the Playing Field on Wednesday night (March 11) with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Before that, Wellington have a tough game on Saturday as they travel to take on league leaders and title favourites Bitton.

WELLINGTON’S Toolstation League game at Willand last night was called off.

Heavy rain during the afternoon made the Willand pitch unplayable.

The game will now take place on Tuesday, March 31st.