Wellington AFC

WELLINGTON will be playing in the Toolstation League's first division next season.

The league has confirmed that there will be no relegation this year as it is looking to increase its number of teams.

Club chairman Ken Bird said: "We're naturally delighted to have retained our Toolstation League status.

"It would have been highly unusual for the league to relegate two clubs so we were always hopeful things would go our way - now this has been confirmed we can start planning for next season.

"It has been a difficult campaign after the entire first-team squad left the club last summer but the players who replaced them have shown commitment and developed a great team spirit.

"I'm particularly pleased for our manager Colin Merrick and his assistant Kevin Hazeldine, who have worked tirelessly throughout the season.

"This is great news for them, the players and everyone involved in Wellington AFC."

Mr Bird, who is stepping down after ten years as chairman at next month's AGM, said the club had many reasons for optimism.

"We have some excellent players coming up through the reserves and our youth setup is thriving, particularly with our under-16s who have had an outstanding season."

Wellington hold their annual dinner and dance on Friday night with presentations for the first team, reserves and ladies' team.

FURTHER to Stewart Rigby's appointment as commerical manager for the club, you can keep up to date with all latest news and fund-raising events via twitter.

Follow @commercialWTFC

WELLINGTON AFC have appointed Stewart Rigby as commercial manager to head up our sponsorship and fund-raising activities.

Chairman Ken Bird said: "This is a very positive move for the club as we look to ways of improving our revenue.

"Stewart has impressed us with his enthusiasm and we're delighted to have him on board."

Anyone requiring further information about supporting the club, can contact Stewart by email on Commercial@wellingtonafc.co.uk

WELLINGTON AFC chairman Ken Bird is stepping down after ten years in the role.

Mr Bird will, however, continue to be involved with the club after next month's annual meeting.

He said this week: "Having given the matter a lot of thought, I've decided to take a step back.

"I feel that after a decade in the chair - and over 30 as a committee member - the club would benefit from the fresh approach certain to come from having a new person at the top.

"Despite a disappointing season for the first-team, I believe the club can look to the future with optimism.

"I must stress that I'm not leaving Wellington AFC - just returning to the ranks - and will still carry out many of the duties I perform at present.

"I'd like to thank the officers, managers and committee for all their hard work and support during my time as chairman.

"I will always have Wellington AFC at heart and am looking forward to still playing a part in taking it forward."

Toolstation League first division: Oldland Abbotonians 3, Wellington 0

WELLINGTON ended their disappointing campaign with defeat in dreadful conditions at Oldland today.

Already sure to finish second from bottom of the table, manager Colin Merrick saw unavailability rob him of a string of players and he was even forced to field striker Stuart Gould in goal.

The visitors started brightly and almost took a surprise lead when Adam Cook headed over from an Iain MacHattie corner after 12 minutes.

When Gould pulled off a spectacular save to keep out Mike Baker’s long-range free-kick after 23 minutes, Wellington might have felt it was their day.

But Gould was powerless to stop Oldland taking the lead five minutes later as a cross from the right was headed home by Dave Pollinger.

The crucial moment of the game came after 40 minutes as Wellington were awarded as free-kick in a dangerous position but, after it broke down, Oldland’s Aysa Corrick broke out and, when Gould failed to hold his shot, Matt Brown pounced to net.

That left Wellington with a mountain to climb in the second half and things turned from bad to worse when they gave the ball away after 75 minutes and Pollinger ran on to beat Gould.

To their credit, Wellington kept going and Ollie Nott had a shot blocked on the line before Ben Martin brought a point blank save out of keeper Shane Mason.

The visitors’ season ended on the worst possible note in the dying minutes as Dale Pennycuick – harshly booked in the first half – received a second yellow card for a rash challenge.

WELLINGTON Under-16s completed the first half of a possible cup double today.

They beat Bishops Lydeard 1-0 in the league cup final played at Minehead Town's Irnham Road ground.

The only goal of the game came inside the first minute as striker Joe Conway pounced on a loose ball to produce a clinical finish.

But any thoughts of a rout disappeared as proceedings were dominated by a fierce cross-pitch wind, which made good football impossible.

Chances were few and far between and Wellington's lead remained intact to ensure they lifted the trophy.

Wellington, who finished runners-up in the league to Tiverton Town, now take on Clevedon Town in the county cup final at Street on Sunday, May 20.

WELL DONE TO JOE AND THE BOYS!!!

FINAL FIXTURE ENDS IN DEFEAT

WEMBDON U15’S 3 WELLINGTON U15’S 0

Wellington finished their season, in the Tony Pryce Youth League, with a defeat, at their Bridgwater rivals. . . Full report on Under 15 page

Toolstation League division one: Devizes Town 1, Wellington 2

WELLINGTON restored their pride as they edged out Devizes Town when the first division’s cellar sides met in Wiltshire today.

Colin Merrick’s side can only finish second from bottom after their 7-0 home thumping by Almondsbury UWE the previous weekend while Devizes are certain to prop up the table.

And Merrick rang the changes for Wellington’s penultimate game of their disappointing season in the hope of seeing a reverse in their fortunes.

They responded in the best possible way by racing into a 2-0 lead inside the first ten minutes.

The visitors went ahead when skipper Paul Pocock floated over a corner from the right and Callum Laird marked his return to the side by scoring with a thumping header.

Devizes gifted Wellington their second goal with a poor headed backpass which saw Ollie Nott racing clear, the youngster composing himself before thumping the ball past keeper Lewis Porter.

To the home side’s credit, they refused to lie down and they came more into the game as the first half wore on.

Wellington were indebted to Chris McKee – restored to the team in goal – for a succession of sharp saves.

But he was powerless to stop Devizes pulling a goal back after 65 minutes as the Wellington defence was sliced open by a through ball and home skipper Steve Campbell burst forward to finish with style.

Wellington almost restored their two-gaol advantage shortly afterwards when a frantic scramble ended with substitute Luke Webber seeing his shot thump against a defender on the line.

And a surprisingly entertaining game ended with McKee pulling off two more saves to ensure Wellington made the long journey home with three points in the bag – albeit too little too late.

Toolstation League division one: Wellington 0, Almondsbury UWE 7

WELLINGTON are now virtually certain to finish in the bottom two of the first division after their heaviest defeat of the season at the Playing Field on Saturday.

That means they face an anxious wait to see if they will retain their Toolstation status with the league yet to announce how many teams will be relegated.

Wellington went into the game knowing they needed seven points from their last three matches because their goal difference is vastly interior to that of nearest rivals Westbury United.

But Colin Merrick's side were destroyed by a rampant Almondsbury side who were 2-0 up at the interval before embarking on a second-half goal feast.

Playing up the slope, the Bristol visitors went ahead through a double strike from Neil Bailey.

Wellington needed an early response after the break to get back into the game but instead it was Almondsbury who extended their lead.

As the home side fell apart, Danny Lane scored a hat-trick while Chris Church also scored twice - his second from 35 yards in the 75th minute.

WELLINGTON AFC have confirmed that both their senior managers will be in charge again next season.

Colin Merrick has been boss of the first-team for just over a year while Dave Thomas began his second spell as reserve team manager in December.

Club chairman Ken Bird said this week: “After a number of unsettled seasons from a managerial point of view, we are delighted they are both carrying on.

“Colin has worked his socks off with limited resources in fighting against relegation from the Toolsation League while Dave has built on the excellent work by Kevin Hazeldine (now first-team assistant manager) with the reserves.”

Wellington’s first-team are deep in relegation trouble after two defeats over the Easter weekend.

But they have games in hand on fellow strugglers and so their fate is still in their own hands – with the league yet to announce how many clubs will go down.

Merrick’s side entertain Almondsbury UWE this Saturday at the Playing Field, kick-off 3pm.

They then travel to play Devizes Town – now certain to finish bottom – on April 21 before ending their season away to Oldland Abbotonians on April 28.

Wellington’s annual dinner is on May 18 and tickets (£15) are available from Reg Oxby on 01823-665410.