Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 3, Ashton & Backwell United 2
A header from sub Tom Burt deep into injury time extended Wellington’s unbeaten run with victory over Ashton & Backwell United at the Playing Field yesterday (Saturday, March 4th).
Man-of-match was winger Sully McKenna who received the award from Mike Rogers, left, and Tom Doyle on behalf of match sponsors AFH Wealth Management.
It looked like the in-form Tangerines would have to settle for a point when the visitors made it 2-2 from the penalty spot with four minutes remaining until Burt popped up to net the winner.
Wellington had to change their defence after the midweek win at Ilfracombe Town with Tom Stone unavailable and Stefan Phillips injured so Miles Quick dropped back from midfield to partner his twin brother Jason and there was a debut for Lloyd Tucker, a new signing from Bovey Tracey.
Backwell had won 4-0 when the sides met at their ground early last month and the visitors looked lively from the off, taking the lead after only nine minutes when the ball was played through to Alfie Cummings, who poked it past keeper Harley Wilkinson.
Wellington refused to let the early setback affect them and Sully McKenna had a couple of good chances before they equalised from a penalty on 37 minutes – thanks to all three Quick brothers. Jason was fouled as he ran on to a low corner from Miles and Jake scored from the spot.
It stayed level until the break and the Tangerines then played some of their best football of the season from the restart, taking the lead on the hour through a low curler from McKenna after good work by Jake Quick.
That was the signal for Backwell to step up a gear but Wellington repelled all attacks until the 86th minute when Shea Bennington-Mannings was impeded as he ran in on goal and picked himself up to coolly stroke home the resulting penalty.
That set up a grandstand finish with the winner coming in the third minute of added time. More good work by Jake Quick saw him find Glen Wright, whose lofted ball into the box was headed home by Burt to spark wild celebrations.
The victory means Wellington have moved up to 12th in the table, having collected 13 points out of a possible 15 in their past five games.
They are also unbeaten at home in nine league matches – their last defeat at the Playing Field was in mid-October – and they will be looking to make it ten when they host Falmouth Town on Saturday, ko 3pm.
Wellington: Harley Wilkinson, Lloyd Tucker, Jason Quick, Miles Quick, Jack Bown-Porter, Sully McKenna, Eli Collins, Glen Wright, Ryan Brereton, Jamie Nicholson, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Tom Burt and Alex Cherry (used); Tim Legg and Alex Pope (not used).
