Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League division one: Topsham Town Reserves 0, Wellington Reserves 2
A short trip to Exeter for our Reserves resulted in three points secured against stubborn opposition.
A much-changed starting line-up from the previous outing included brothers Aaron and Tom Hawkings in defensive roles with Jake Nichol donning the goalkeeping gloves in a 4-3-3 formation.
The Tangerines started brightly, creating several scoring opportunities to no avail.
The visitors were defensively strong with the central pairing of Tom Hawkings and Danny Nichols providing solid protection for stand-in keeper Nichol, who was solid with his distribution of the ball when needed.
Half-time gave an opportunity to re-evaluate proceedings with a focus to build more intensive play in the final third.
This paid dividends with a succession of questions being asked of the hosts’ dogged back line.
Rohan Poulsom was tripped inside the penalty box, with midfield playmaker Amauri Ruiz drilling the resultant spot-kick inside the far post to break the deadlock on 70 minutes.
The Tangerines were now full of confidence and a more cohesive unit doubled their lead two minutes later. A pinpoint through ball from Tom Hawkings was hit with power and accuracy by striker Luke Perry over the oncoming keeper.
Further chances to add to the scoreline followed with the hosts on the ropes.
Man of the match was Luke Perry.
A solid team performance to take into next week’s home game v Bow Athletic at the Playing Field with an earlier 2pm kick-off
Wellington Reserves: Jake Nichol, Aaron Hawkings, Dylan Groves, Danny Nichols, Tom Hawkings, Clay Westcott (cpt), Olivier Nott, Amauri Ruiz, Wesley Poulsom, Rohan Poulsom, Luke Perry. Substitutes: Reagan Scotcher, Joshua Sibanda and Logan Sellick (used); Mark Owen (not used).
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Our A team began their season with a 5-2 defeat away to White Eagles with Tom Scarlett scoring both goals.
