Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League Division One: Newton St Cyres 0, Wellington Reserves 2

Our Reserves recorded back-to-back wins following this sound and creditable performance near Crediton yesterday (Saturday, November 19th) to take them up to sixth place in the league table.

Luke Perry was man-of-the-match and is pictured being congratulated by manager Nick Buttle.

The hosts started brightly asking questions in front of goal, with Tangerines’ 16-year-old keeper Tom Hyam, producing two outstanding outstretched saves for the team.

Wellington then started to build some good passages of play and probed the hosts’ final third with strikers Logan Sellick and Luke Perry causing their defence alarm on several occasions.

Wing back Jordan Sellick saw two consecutive efforts on goal superbly saved by Newton’s equally good keeper.

From a corner routine on 41 minutes Perry’s initial shot was parried away, followed by a lofted ball to the far post for Tom Davies to power home his header for a half-time lead.

As expected, the hosts asked more questions of the visitors’ defensive credentials, with the back line of Lloyd Manning, Dylan Groves marshalled by Davies, in no mood to capitulate and with Hyam having a quieter half.

The midfield three of Connor Noble, Ned Ogilvie, and Rohan Poulsom worked tirelessly to break up play and set the foundations for increasing attacks going forward.

On 65 minutes, Perry’s long range free kick rattled the crossbar, as Wellington searched for that important second goal.

Energetic wing back Wes Poulsom featured prominently in both attack and defence , with both Logan and Perry now stretching the home team’s tiring defensive line.

The introduction of substitutes Ollie Nott into central midfield and Joshua Sibanda as striker, added to the intensity which was building, and the reward of the all-important second goal on 83 minutes.

It was created from a move which split the home defence for Perry to expertly skip around his marker and clinically place his low shot inside the far post to cap a solid individual and team performance by all.

Team: Tom Hyam, Dylan Groves, Tom Davies, Lloyd Manning, Wes Poulsom, Jordan Sellick, Connor Noble, Ned Ogilvie, Rohan Poulsom, Logan Sellick, Luke Perry. Subs: Ollie Nott and Josh Sibanda (both used).

Next Saturday (November 26th) sees a rare home league fixture v Lympstone at the Playing Field with a 2.15pm kick-off. Match ball sponsor: Conway Cladding. Man-of-the-match sponsor, JPM Body Repairs.