Wellington AFC

Toolstation League premier division: Wells City 3, Wellington 0

STRUGGLING Wellington were comfortably beaten at Wells City on Saturday.

Wells created the better openings of the first half, going ahead just three minutes before the break.

Ben Robertson’s header from a corner was cleared off the line but the ball fell to Matt Hurley, who scored from close range.

Wellington fell further behind after 55 minutes when Mark Randall fired into the roof of the net.

The visitors almost pulled a goal back with a shot from Mark Armstrong, which smacked against the bar.

But they conceded a third goal with 15 minutes remaining. Wells were awarded a penalty for handball and although keeper Ryan Lewis saved Steve Murray’s spot-kick, Olly Edwards scored from the rebound.

Wellington’s day went from bad to worse in the dying minutes when defender Nathan Best was sent off.

This Saturday, Wellington are home to Bitton (3pm).

Wellington Reserves gave a fine show at home to third placed Sidmouth Town in the Premier Division of the Devon and Exeter League last weekend and although they let slip a two goal half time advantage a draw was about fair based on the whole game’s play.

Wellington went into the game in last place and Sidmouth in third, but based on the action in the first half you would have thought it was roles reversed for Wellington in general and Joe Enticott in particular savaged the visitors as they played as if they were still on the minibus that brought the Devon side and a good number of fans with them.

Sidmouth were limited to playing the route one method when playing up the notorious Wellington Playing Field hill and this was no problem to a Wellington back four of James Garrad, Darren Mace, Mitch Woodgate and Chris McKee who all mopped up the aerial bombardment that came its way and distributed the ball forward well.

Wellington went ahead on twenty minutes when a good ball forward was thumped home by Joe Enticott as he evaded the pedestrian Sidmouth back line and scored well, he repeated the dose just before the break and Wellington entered the break in the ascendancy.

Sidmouth must have received a rocket from their boss as they played much better in the second half when going downhill; they did not let Wellington get forward very much and grabbed two goals when a firmly struck shot was parried by Chris Cherry in the Tangerines goal and it was edged in by a Sidmouth attacker.

A cracking strike from midfield levelled matters up at which point Darren Mace was sent off for bringing down a man and as he was seen as being the last man he was shown red; the baiting from the away dugout and travelling fans for a sending off was not called for and made for a fiery last few minutes – that the game ended level was a fair outcome.

Wellington have no game next weekend and are home to league leaders Seaton Town on Wednesday 16th March from 7.30pm

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 1, Bristol Manor Farm 4.

WELLINGTON conceded the double to Manor Farm at the Playing Field yesterday.

They fell behind after only four minutes as a low cross was turned in by an unmarked Troy Simpson.

Manor Farm scored twice in three minutes after the break – both through substitute Jamie Adams.

Wellington did pull a goal back after 73 minutes through substitute Oli but Manor Farm had the final say, Adams scoring from close range to complete his hat-trick.

Toolstation premier division: Corsham Town 1, Wellington 1.

WELLINGTON finally clawed themselves off the bottom of the table with a hard-earned point at Corsham yesterday.

Manager Colin Merrick was unable to name any substitutes but his bare 11 performed like heroes in the heavy conditions and could even have snatched a shock victory.

Wellington found themselves under the cosh in the first half – defending valiantly to keep the scoreline goalless at the interval.

Wellington went ahead on the hour when Craig Mawford curled a superb free-kick around the wall.

Corsham drew level in controversial fashion six minutes later as keeper Ryan Lewis pulled off a flying save to keep out Aaron Ledgister’s shot but, when he caught the ball as it dropped, the assistant referee ruled it had crossed the line.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 0, Longwell Green 1.

AN injury-time penalty consigned Wellington to defeat in their crucial relegation battle with fellow strugglers Longwell Green at the Playing Field yesterday.

The game was heading for a draw when defender Mark Armstrong was judged by have fouled sub Jordan Metters and Chris Dauncy stepped up to net from the spot.

That rubbed salt into bottom club Wellington’s wounds after they had seen vehement appeals for a penalty turned down when Craig Herrod was sent tumbling in the box.

Colin Merrick’s side had deserved at least a draw after carving out the better openings with keeper Ryan Lewis rarely forced into serious action.

Wellington’s next match is away to Corsham Town on Saturday.

Toolstation League premier division: Dawlish Town 1, Wellington 1.

WELLINGTON picked up their second valuable point in four days with a gutsy display at Dawlish.

Despite dominating the opening stages, they fell behind after 41 minutes as keeper Ryan Lewis failed to deal with a clearance from his opposite number Grant Fisher and Liam McAuley gratefully took advantage of his slip.

Both sides had their chances in an open second half but Wellington drew level on the hour as Simon Ingram’s shot hit a defender’s arm and he coolly slotted home the resulting penalty.

Lewis made amends for his first-half howler by producing a pair of top-notch saves while, at the other end, Alex Pounde and substitute David Thorne were both denied by Fisher.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 2, Odd Down 2.

WELLINGTON ended their run of defeats with a hard-earned draw against Odd Down at the wind-ravaged Playing Field.

In their first game since Colin Merrick became permanent manager, they got off to a flying start as Craig Herrod shot home after only five minutes.

But Odd Down equalised 15 minutes with a well-placed shot by Matthew Rawlings and went on to hit the woodwork three times before half-time.

The visitors then caught Wellington napping to take the lead only two minutes after the re-start, Jamie Taylor applying a clinical finish.

Merrick’s side refused to lie down, however, and equalised after 63 minutes with a stunning strike from Alex Pounde, whose shot sailed into the top corner of the net.

Odd Down were denied by the woodwork again 15 minutes later, Simon Charity’s shot hitting the post after keeper Ryan Lewis had done brilliantly to keep out a Taylor header.

In an exciting finish, Wellington thought they had broken out to score the winner in injury time – only for Mark Clunie’s shot to be ruled out for offside.

 COLIN MERRICK is the new manager of Toolstation premier division Wellington.

The former Taunton Blackbrook boss has accepted the job having been in temporary charge since Gary Domone’s shock resignation at the beginning of January.

He will be Wellington’s third manager in a season which has seen them struggling at the bottom of the table.

A club spokesman said: “Colin has impressed everyone with his approach and enthusiasm and we are delighted to have him on board.

“He has had a long managerial career and is very well known on the local football scene.

“Getting the first team out of their current predicament is going to be a huge challenge but we are confident Colin will give it everything.”

Merrick’s first game in permanent charge will be on Saturday when Wellington are home to Odd Down (3pm).

Toolstation League premier division: Larkhall Athletic 3, Wellington 2.

WELLINGTON suffered yet another cruel odd-goal defeat as Larkhall moved three points clear at the top of the Toolstation premier last night.

The visitors, struggling at the bottom of the table, took a shock lead five minutes before half-time as Mark Clunie played the ball through for Luke Desave to produce a cool finish.

The second half got off to an explosive start with three goals in the first five minutes.

Jamie Lyons equalised for Larkhall with Wellington appealing in vain for offside, but then Alex Pounde restored the visitors’ lead after a mistake by the home keeper.

Almost immediately, Larkhall drew level again as a shot by Tyler Sibbick was deflected into the net.

After 63 minutes, Larkhall scored what proved to be the winner when Sibbick was played in to produce a clinical finish.

Wellington are in league action again on Saturday when they entertain Street at the Playing Field (3.00).