Wellington AFC

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 2, Brislington 2.

WELLINGTON failed to capitalise on a flying start as they were held by Brislington at the Playing Field yesterday.

The home side scored twice in the first eight minutes through a John Bradford shot and a penalty coolly dispatched by skipper and leading scorer Simon Ingram.

But Brislington hit back to equalise before the break thanks to a towering header from Jason Hughes and close-range effort by Leon Simpson on the half-hour.

Both sides hit the woodwork after the break with Wellington striker Shane Kingston seeing a rising shot come back off the bar.

At the other end, Brislington nearly snatched the points with five minutes remaining as substitute Tood Winter’s shot came back off the foot of the post and fellow sub Keith Williams fired over from the rebound.

Wellington are in league action again on Wednesday night when they entertain Bishop Sutton (7.30).

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 1, Hallen 1

WELLINGTON ended their poor run in the Toolstation premier with a hard-earned draw at home to Hallen yesterday.

On a heavy Playing Field pitch, which passed a morning inspection, Wellington got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind after only two minutes.

They failed to clear a cross from the right and Hallen skipper Andy Cook bundled the ball over the line.

Wellington’s equaliser after only 15 minutes was an equally scrappy affair as Simon Ingram fed Craig Herrod inside the box and the striker’s shot ended up in the net with the help of a wicked deflection.

Both sides created half-chances in search of a second goal but the nearest either came to scoring was four minutes from time when Hallen’s David Truan was denied by John Bradford’s last-gasp goalline clearance.

For the full match report, don’t miss Thursday’s Somerset County Gazette.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 0, Ilfracombe Town 1.

WELLINGTON returned to action after a five-week, weather-enforced break with a narrow defeat at home to high-riding Ilfracombe at the Playing Field last night.

And they can count themselves unlucky not to have earned at least a point from a battling display, which showed few signs of rustiness.

Wellington fielded two debutants – keeper Nathan Whatley and striker Levi Marlow – and they matched Ilfracombe blow for blow in a close-fought game played at a high tempo.

Unfortunately, they were made to pay dearly for a solitary lapse in concentration as a corner after 23 minutes was swung over from the right and the visitors’ Lee Langmead ran in completely unchallenged to plant a thumping header past Whatley.

Wellington refused to let that setback knock them out of their stride and they should have equalised before the break when defender Will Gardner headed fractionally wide and then Marlow saw a goalbound shot from a good position deflected off-target.

The home side almost drew level in the opening minutes of the second half as visiting keeper Steve Oliver pulled off a smart double save to deny Craig Herrod and then skipper Simon Ingram.

Oliver came to Ilfracombe’s rescue again after 53 minutes when he grabbed John Bradford’s stinging shot at the second attempt.

Both sides created half-chances as the already heavy Playing Field pitch cut up even more with Marlow volleying wide and Herrod also blazing over for Wellington.

Wellington: Nathan Whatley, Craig Mawford, Martin White, Will Gardner, Jack Adams, John Bradford, Simon Ingram, Dave Thorne, Craig Herrod, Scott Holland, Levi Marlow. Substitutes, John Norman (for Marlow, 86 minutes), Adam Fricker and Mark Burgess (not used).

 For all the latest Wellington AFC news, read the Somerset County Gazette every Thursday.

WELLINGTON are hoping to play for the first time since mid-December when they entertain high-riding Ilfracombe Town at the Playing Field tonight (Wednesday) with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Like clubs up and down the country, Wellington’s fixture list has been decimated by the recent bad weather – although all of their cancelled games have now been re-scheduled.

After the Ilfracombe match, Wellington are due to host Hallen in the league on Saturday (3pm).

WELLINGTON’S Toolstation League premier division match at home to Welton Rovers on Wednesday night has become the latest victim of the weather.

The Playing Field pitch is still covered in snow although club officials are hoping it will have cleared in time for Saturday’s home game against Bishop Sutton.

Wellington have three league games to fit in before the end of the season – Willand Rovers (away), Bitton (home) and now Welton Rovers (home).

WELLINGTON’S Toolstation League premier division match at home to Bitton on Saturday is among the first victims of this week’s heavy snow.

The league gave member clubs the chance to call off matches without pitch inspections because of the severe weather.

And with the Playing Field certain to be unplayable, Wellington have taken an early decision.

The weekend sporting programme is again expected to be decimated with clubs now facing long fixture backlogs.

Wellington are due to play again next Wednesday when they host Welton Rovers in a league match (7.30).

WELLINGTON have been thrown out of the Toolstation League’s Les Phillips Cup.

The Tangerines were penalised for bringing on Dean Grubb as a late substitute in their victory over Wells City in the last round. It has turned out Grubb, who has since signed for Weston-super-Mare, was still under contract with Weymouth.

“We had no idea whatsoever that we were doing anything wrong,” said a club spokesman.

“Apparently, Dean signed for Weymouth in the summer but left before the season started and was under the impression his contract had been terminated. We knew nothing about it, having signed him from Cheddar.”

Meanwhile, Wellington, whose Premier Division game at Willand Rovers was postponed at the weekend, are due to host champions Bitton on Saturday. Next Wednesday, they are home to Welton Rovers (7.30pm).