Wellington AFC

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).

TICKETS are still available for a charity dance in Wellington this weekend.

Midge Greedy, who lives in Baynes Close, is organising the event at Wellington Football Club this Saturday, September 18.

All the proceeds will go to the special care baby unit at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.

Earlier this year, Midge’s daughter, Melissa, gave birth to twin daughters, Kitty and Kiera, who were born prematurely.

The  dance will feature popular local band The Lynx, and tickets, costing £7.50, are available from Midge on 01823-665153, Keith Davey on 07977-924707 or on the door on September 18.

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

WELLINGTON are still looking for their first premier division point of the season after a narrow defeat in North Devon yesterday.

Wellington were gifted the best possible start as they went ahead within the first minute.

Recalled Luke Desave charged down a clearance and his low cross was turned in the net by Barnstaple skipper Kevin Darch.

If that was bad luck on the home side, fortune turned their way as they equalised in the 16th minute. A mis-hit long-range shot fell conveniently to Ryan Turner in the box and he made no mistake.

Wellington got back in front on the half-hour as – remarkably – another Desave cross was turned into his own net by Darch.

But Barnstaple drew level thanks to some woeful defending five minutes before the break. Billy Hopcroft was given far too much room to turn and poke the ball past keeper Ryan Lewis.

Wellington took the game to Barnstaple in the second half but, as they threw men forward, they were caught on the break with 15 minutes remaining for what proved to be the decisive goal.

George Swain was brought down by defender Mark Armstrong and Ricky Marinaro dispatched the resulting penalty past Lewis.

WELLINGTON return to Toolstation premier action tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel to North Devon to take on Barnstaple.

After one weekend without a game and then FA Cup action last weekend, Wellington are now playing catch-up from a fixtures point of view, having played only two premier games.

Their first match at the Playing Field is the following Saturday, September 11 when they entertain Hallen.

Meanwhile, Wellington Reserves start their Devon and Exeter premier campaign tomorrow with a match at home to Alphington, kick-off 3pm.