Wellington AFC

PLEASE note that Wellington Football Club now has a NEW website at www.wellingtonafc.co.uk

With immediate effect, all of the latest club news, match reports and other information can be found at the new site.

Designed by David Rodger, it features a range of added extras, including separate sections for all of our senior and youth teams.

Simply add the site to your favourites and please remember to register so that you can have full access and also receive the very latest information on Wellington AFC.

So remember … we are now at www.wellingtonafc.co.uk

WE are holding a special meeting in the clubhouse next Tuesday to discuss future plans for our club.

Chairman Ken Bird said: “The past couple of seasons have not been easy and so the management committee decided to get everyone together to discuss how we should move forward.

“We made a heavy financial loss last year and our first-team has struggled in ther premier division this season.

“But we also have many positive aspects to our club – for example, our financial situation is now much more stable and we have a thriving youth set-up.

“This get-together will give people a chance to have their say on our future.”

The meeting, in the clubhouse from 7.45pm, is open to all club members and will be followed by a presentation on the club’s new website – wellingtonafc.co.uk

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.

TWO events are being staged this month in aid of Wellington Football Club’s clubhouse refurbishment programme.

This Saturday sees a 60s, 70s and 80s disco with the R&S Roadshow. Fancy dress is optional and admission on the door is £3 for members and £4 for non-members.

On Saturday, February 19^th, the club are staging a Valentine’s Dance with popular local band Home Brew. Admission on the door is £3 for members and £5 for non-members.

Toolstation league premier division: Wellington 0, Street 1

WELLINGTON suffered another agonising defeat as they conceded the double to Street at the Playing Field on Saturday.

The home side, deep in relegation trouble, responded to a half-time rocket from caretaker boss Colin Merrick without being able to find the equaliser their efforts deserved.

Wellington got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind to what was to be the game’s solitary goal after only two minutes.

Street target man Aaron Lomax was allowed to bring the ball down unchallenged before shooting low past keeper Ryan Lewis, playing against his former club.

Wellington should have equalised on the hour as Alex Pounde’s cross found substitute Craig Mawford with the goal at his mercy but the ball bobbled and his effort went wide.

WELLINGTON Football Club are launching their social propgramme for 2011 with two events next month.

Saturday, February 5th – 60s 70s and 80s disco (fancy dress optional) with the R & S Roadshow.

Tickets are £3 members, £4 non-members from Keith Davey on 07977 924707 or on the door.

Saturday, February 19th – Valentine’s Dance with Home Brew.

Tickets only £3 members, £5 non-members from Andy Thorne on 07841 330543 or on the door.

Come along and enjoy the party!

Toolstation League premier division: Hallen 4, Wellington 0.

WELLINGTON are staring relegation in the face after going down to yet another defeat yesterday – this time away to fellow strugglers Hallen.

The first half was an even affair but it was Hallen who got the vital breakthrough as Joshua Digby played in Ashley Bennett and the striker was brought down as he rounded keeper Ryan Lewis.

James Clarke gave the home side the lead from a twice-taken spot-kick.

The turning point of the game came early in the second half as a long ball forward from Hallen was held up by the heavy pitch and, as Lewis hesitated, Bennett pounced to lob the keeper.

As the Wellington heads dropped, Hallen defended stoutly and always looked threatening on the break.

They added further goals through substitutes Tom Collett and Aaron Wilson while also seeing two efforts cleared off the line and another rebound off the post.

Les Phillips Cup first round: Radstock Town 2, Wellington 1.
A LATE goal knocked Wellington out of the Les Phillips Cup at Radstock last night.
Wellington played some of their best football of the season but fell behind to penalty after the break for a foul by Jack Adams.
The visitors equalised ten minutes later – also from the penalty spot with skipper Simon Ingram scoring after Craig Herrod had been brought down.
But Radstock scored the winner in the dying minutes as the ball was bundled home from a corner.
Wellington have a crucial relegation battle at Hallen on Saturday and are then away to Larkhall Athletic next Wednesday.

Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 1, Willand Rovers 1.

A FREAK goal by Luke Desave deep into injury time earned bottom club Wellington a point at home to high-flying Willand Rovers at the Playing Field yesterday.

Colin Merrick was taking charge of the side for the first time following the resignation of manager Gary Domone.

And the former Taunton Blackbrook boss saw a huge improvement in their display compared with the crushing 6-0 home thrashing by Brislington which led to Domone’s departure.

In fairness, Willand – among the favourites to lift the title – were the better side for much of the game despite playing the last half-hour with only ten men after the sending off of Danny Jee.

But Wellington have had some cruel luck this season and perhaps deserved a long-overdue piece of good fortune.

Keeper Ryan Lewis kept them in the game with some sharp saves in the first half but Willand broke the deadlock right on half-time.

The home defence failed to deal with a ball into the box and Paul Pocock – playing against his home town club – showed typical persistence to score with a shot on the turn.

With both sides struggling to come to terms with the fierce crossfield wind, chances were few and far between.

But the game exploded on the hour as Jee saw red after lunging into Craig Mawford with an over-the-top tackle which led to the defender being carried off.

Wellington threw men forward in search of an equaliser but it looked like they would suffer their 11th odd-goal defeat in 18 matches.

Yet with Merrick and assistant Shaun O’Leary roaring them on from the technical area, they equalised in the fifth minute of added time.

The ball came out to Desave wide out on the right and his cross-shot completely deceived Brian Cann and beat the keeper at his near post to spark wild celebrations by the home players and supporters.

It may have been a season-changing moment – Merrick and Wellington will hope so.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford, Martin White, Mark Armstrong, Jack Adams, Alex Pounde, Mark Clunie, Simon Ingram, Scott Holland, Luke Desave, Craig Herrod. Substitutes: Nathan Best and Phil Hartnup (used), Brian Binnie (not used). Attendance: 92.

FORMER Taunton Blackbrook boss Colin Merrick has taken over as manager of Toolstation premier strugglers Wellington until at least the end of January.

Merrick has been placed in charge after the shock resignation of Gary Domone at the weekend.

“We are delighted to have someone of Colin’s experience to call on,” said a club spokesman.

“He has been helping to run the side and knows the players well.

“Colin has agreed to take over for the rest of the month while we all consider our options.”

Wellington called an emergency management committee meeting to discuss the situation on Sunday night and club officials met with Merrick on Tuesday.

He had been due to take charge of the side against Bishop Sutton tonight (Wednesday) but it was called off because of a waterlogged Playing Field pitch.

His first game will now be at home to third-placed Willand Rovers on Saturday (3pm).