Jewson Western League Premier Division: Torpoint Athletic 2, Wellington 3

Wellington ended their frustrating run of defeats with a thrilling victory in Cornwall yesterday (Saturday, September 14th).

Our scorers – Sam Gleeson, left, and Phil Mendonca.

The match began in dramatic fashion as Torpoint took a controversial early lead as they were awarded a penalty when skipper Luke Cloke went to ground and Harry Jeffery confidently converted the spot kick.

Wellington attempted to respond in the first half with Jake Quick seeing a goalbound effort blocked in the seventh minute and his brother Jason’s low cross rolling agonisingly across the face of goal on the half-hour.

At the other end, Cloke came close to doubling Torpoint’s lead on 38 minutes, rounding keeper Jake Viney only to see his shot roll against the far post.

Wellington then suffered a blow just before the break as Kieran Bailey limped off after being the victim of a nasty tackle, bringing Mark Cornish on as a substitute.

They also lost Josh Lukins to injury seven minutes into the second half with Sam Gleeson taking his place.

And it looked like it was going to be one of those days when Miles Quick’s shot came back off the inside of the post before he crossed to sub Matt Crawley in front of goal but the big striker lifted the ball over the bar.

They were not to be denied and equalised with 20 minutes remaining when Gleeson’s cross sailed over the head of keeper Tyler Coombes and into the net.

However, the Wellington joy was short-lived as Torpoint regained the lead almost immediately, the unmarked Jeffery turning in his second of the game at the far post.

Manager Richard Cherry then introduced Phil Mendonca into the action, and it proved to be a pivotal move in the visitors turning the game around.

The diminutive youngster was denied by Coombes after a mazy run and then put Wellington ahead in the 85th minute after Harry Scott had nodded him into space in the box.

The visitors pressed for the winner, and it eventually arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time, courtesy of a stunning individual effort by Mendonca.

He span away from a Torpoint defender before setting off on an electrifying run down the left and shooting low past Coombes to spark wild celebrations.

After 13 successive away games, Wellington can now look forward to their first home game on the season on Wednesday when in-form Barnstaple Town visit the Playing Field.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Ryan Hibbert, Kieran Bailey, Jason Quick, Harry Scott, Josh Lukins, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Sam Sheldrake, Miles Quick, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Mark Cornish, Sam Gleeson, Matt Crawley, Phil Mendonca (used); Rob Hall (not used). Attendance: 95.

Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.