Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round: Ilfracombe 4, Wellington 3
Wellington travelled to Ilfracombe in the FA Cup and fielded their third goalkeeper in as many games with 17-year-old Shay Allen making his debut between the sticks.
With a strong wind marring much of the game, Wellington started far the better and were soon testing the home defence particularly down the left flank.
As early as the eighth minute they nearly snatched the lead when a good move involving Josh Baker and Glen Wright saw the latter cross to Sam Towler whose firmly hit shot from outside the penalty area struck the crossbar and bounced over.
They took the lead after a quarter of an hour when a great crossfield ball found Jack Bown-Porter wide on the left and he laid the ball inside to Baker whose shot was blocked but Jake Quick was on hand to pick up the rebound and score.
As at Mousehole when their early lead only lasted two minutes, the same thing occurred when a Chris Roberts cross from the right eluded the defence and keeper Allen and Joe Barker was able to net the equaliser from close in. Just a minute later, Ilfracombe took the lead in identical circumstances through the same two players to stun the visitors.
Wellington almost got back on terms within a few minutes when Wright fed Rohan Poulsom who burst through but put his effort wide with just the keeper to beat.
Further Wellington attacks followed as they tried to get back on terms – Baker fed Jake Quick but his shot went just over before Quick got in behind the home defence and squared the ball but Poulsom was unable to get a good connection in front of goal.
They finally got the equaliser when, following another break, Miles Quick challenged for a ball in the area only for it to rebounded off his shin and loop over keeper Steve Oliver into the net.
After the break, exchanges were fairly even and Ilfracombe skipper Jack Jenkins was booked after a series of fouls before, after 55 minutes, Poulsom was grabbed and pulled to the ground and the referee awarded a penalty after consulting the assistant referee who had only indicated that it should be a corner. Towler gave Wellington the lead, making no mistake from the spot.
Towler then saw a long range shot go just over before Jamie Vaughan-Ryall replaced Baker.
Shortly after the referee awarded Ilfracombe a disputed free-kick just outside the penalty area and Jenkins put over the wall with Allen unable to keep the ball out and the scores were level again.
Harry Gardner replaced Miles Quick after 75 minutes as play swung from end to end with the wind an important factor but, five minutes later, after some poor defending the ball found Kevin Squire at the far post and he was able to place the ball past Allen to put Ilfracombe in front.
Jordan Casey came on for Poulsom but Wellington squandered some good possession and were unable to get back on terms before the final whistle.
