Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 1, Bridgwater United 1
Wellington took their second point off leaders Bridgwater as they extended their unbeaten run at the Playing Field today (Saturday, October 29th)
After ending the visitors’ 100 per cent record with a goalless draw at Fairfax Park last month, the Tangerines again proved that, on their day, they can match any team in the league.
The result was also achieved with a changed line-up, with all three Quick brothers along with Glen Wright, unavailable but their replacements all acquitted themselves with distinction.
It was a tale of two keepers with Harley Wilkinson in the home goal and Jake Viney, against his former club, both in outstanding form.
The game got off to an exciting start with two goals in the opening six minutes. Jordan Greenwood headed Bridgwater in front from a corner before Wellington drew level with a penalty as Eli Collins was sent tumbling in the box and skipper Sam Towler made no mistake from the spot.
It was still goalless at the end of an entertaining first half with Tom Stone seeing a header cleared off the line and, at the other end, Wilkinson pulling off a superb reaction save to deny Greenwood.
Bridgwater had the perfect chance to regain the lead when they were awarded a penalty of their own for a foul on Jake Brown after 63 minutes. Jake Llewellyn struck the kick well enough but Wilkinson flung himself to pull off a brilliant save.
The longer the game went on, the more frustrated Bridgwater became, culminating in Greenwood being sent to the sin bin in the closing stages.
Indeed it was Wellington who looked more likely to snatch the winner with a succession of efforts on goal including a brilliant double save by Viney.
Wellington: Harley Wilkinson, Stefan Phillips, Alex Cherry, Harry Walford, Tom Stone, Mark Cornish, Eli Collins, Sam Towler, Jordan Casey, Jamie Nicholson, Harvey Dorothy. Subs: Henry Woodward, Kelson Pollard and Jack Bown-Porter (used); Michael Murphy (not used).