Toolstation League premier division: Ashton and Backwell 2, Wellington 3
Wellington opened their win account for the season with a deserved victory away to newly-promoted Ashton and Backwell.
Tim Legg’s side were in charge for most of the game against a team yet to register a point but after building a 2-0 lead, they were pegged back and had to fight hard for three valuable points.
Although Wellington started brightly, they were indebted to young keeper Shay Allen for a smart block to deny the home side’s danger man Brad Skidmore.
But the visitors took control and looked on their way to a comfortable win with a two-goal salvo.
Wellington went ahead after 24 minutes as Scott Merritt picked out Josh Baker and the youngster’s low cross was turned into his own net by a home defender.
Five minutes later it was 2-0. A Jake Quick corner was met by the head of his brother Jason and, although the keeper touched it on to the bar, Baker was on hand to nod home the rebound.
After doubling their lead, Wellington rather took their foot off the gas and let Ashton and Backwell back into the game either side of half-time.
The hosts reduced the arrears after 38 minutes through Skidmore after breaking out from a corner and then drew level early in the second half as the striker outpaced the defence to send a low drive across Allen and into the net.
Wellington scored what proved to be the winner in the 54th minute. Sam Towler played a quick free-kick to Miles Quick, who made ground before driving home low from 25 yards out.
The visitors then closed the game out although Allen did well to deny Skidmore his hat-trick and the home side also fluffed a clear header near the end – although it would have been bitterly disappointing if Wellington had not recorded the win.
Wellington: Shay Allen, Josh Champion, Jordan Casey, Jason Quick, Jack Bown-Porter, Scott Merritt, Miles Quick, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Jake Quick, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Nathan Byrne (for Merritt, 58) and Callum Mooney (for Sam Towler, 83); Rohan Poulson, Tom Stone and Mason Raymond (not used). Attendance, 90.
