Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League division one: Wellington Reserves 2, Teignmouth 2nds 1
Our promotion chasing Reserves made it six successive wins with an excellent performance against Teignmouth 2nds at the Playing Field.
It was a must-win game for the Tangerines with the visitors also in a good position and having a game in hand.
Mark Owen, Tom Hawkings and Ken Pearson were the management team on the day – with Mike Owen away on holiday – and, as there was no game for the first team, their manager Richard Cherry also helped out, making some tactical decisions and being a great support to the squad.
It wasn’t the best start to a game with Wellington giving away a penalty in the fourth minute of the game. The kick was a good one but young keeper Charlie Hawkings stepped up and pulled off a fine save.
After a shaky start, the Tangerines started to control the game which was proving to be difficult at times due to the strength and size of several of the away team’s players.
In the 15th minute, going down the hill, Gabriel Plant was played through and took his chance brilliantly, slotting the ball into the bottom corner and leaving the keeper with no chance.
Despite Wellington being the better team, Teignmouth were still a handful and created a few half-chances, but it stayed 1-0 until half time.
With a good chat from the management team at the break, Wellington were ready to go again and came out the better side.
They struggled to find the next goal until slice of luck came their way when an Oli Nott cross was turned into the Teignmouth net by their central defender for an own goal.
All Wellington had to do was hold out to the end but a defensive error gifted Teignmouth a goal in the 80th minute.
The visitors were now looking for a draw and did everything they could to find the equaliser but every Wellington player defended superbly with a special mention for man-of-the-match Charlie Hawkings who kept them in the game on several occasions.
The victory sees Wellington sitting in third place and they need to maintain focus for their next game at home to Dawlish United on March 30th.
Team: Charlie Hawkings, Ned Ogilvie, Dylan Groves, Tom Davies, Conor Noble, Aaron Hawkings, Sam Poole, Luke Perry, Gabriel Plant, Oli Nott, Sam Towler. Subs: Lenny Old, Alfie Barratt, Tom Hawkings, Dom Healy (all used); Mark Owen (not used).
Match photos courtesy of Around Wellington.