Toolstation League premier division: Nailsea & Tickenham 4, Wellington 0

Wellington were forced to play more than half of the game with ten men as they eventually went down to a four-goal defeat at newly promoted Nailsea & Tickenham last night (Tuesday, August 15th).

The Tangerines made three changes to the team who were pipped 2-1 by leaders Torpoint Athletic on Saturday.

Flynn Smith and Rohan Poulsom stepped up from the bench while Jack Lewis played his first game after rejoining the club from Cullompton Rangers.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in a lively first half before the game’s pivotal moment five minutes before half-time.

Wellington keeper Shay Allen brought down home striker Lucas Vowles and, after the loose ball had been put wide, the referee awarded a free kick before showing Allen a red card.

Midfielder Miles Quick took over in goal and it was always going to be a massive task to keep the busy hosts at bay.

The visitors defended valiantly until Nailsea broke the deadlock after 68 minutes.

After a succession of corners, one of them was headed out as far as Vowles who nodded it back into the net off the post.

A tough job became even more difficult for Wellington when Vowles scored from a low free kick with 15 minutes remaining and they used all five subs in an effort to gain some impetus.

Ironically, the Tangerines produced a late flurry in the closing minutes before Nailsea scored twice in injury time to give the hosts a rather flattering margin of victory.

Sub Luke Osgood made it 3-0 before Vowles completed his hat-trick right at the death.

Wellington can now regroup as they have a two-week break from league action with no game on Saturday because it’s the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup and they are already out of the competition.

Their next game is an Isuzu FA Vase tie v Okehampton Argyle on Saturday, August 26th – and they are not back in league action until they travel to Ilfracombe Town on Tuesday, August 29th.

Wellington: Shay Allen, Flynn Smith, Jack Bown-Porter (c), Glen Wright, Jordan Hayman, Mark Cornish, Tom Burt, Josh Lukins, Rohan Poulsom, Miles Quick, Jack Lewis. Substitutes: Ryan Hibbert, Nico Cottle, Lloyd Tucker, Lewis Jennings, Josh Young (all used).

Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.