Jewson Western League premier division: Wellington 0, Buckland Athletic 1

A greatly improved performance was not enough to halt Wellington AFC’s losing run at a foggy Playing Field on Boxing Day.

Skipper Sam Towler was our man-of-the-match and he is pictured with chairman Mike Hall, on behalf of F&R Products who sponsored the game.

The Tangerines had climbed up into sixth in the table after a string of victories but have now slipped back to 13th after four successive league defeats.

But they could take heart from a much better showing against seventh-place Buckland, who they knocked out of the FA Cup earlier in the season.

Wellington’s goal that day was scored by Miles Quick and he returned to the starting 11, while on leave from the Marines, along with dual-registered striker Josh Baker.

Both sides had early openings in an entertaining first half with Jake Quick having a “goal” disallowed for the hosts before Sam Gleeson cleared off the line to deny Ryan Bush at the other end.

But it was the visitors from Newton Abbot who broke the deadlock on the half-hour. Myles James took aim from distance and fired a long-range drive which skipped off the wet surface and past keeper Jake Viney.

It stayed 1-0 until the break and Wellington then took the game to Buckland in the second half, pegging them back for long spells. Jake Quick and Tom Stone both saw headers go over the bar and they also had appeals for a penalty turned down.

Buckland nearly doubled their lead from a set piece after 64 minutes, but they were left hanging on as Wellington attempted to end their goal drought which stretches back to November 20th.

Sub Sully McKenna saw a close-range effort deflected into the side netting and skipper Sam Towler’s well-struck volley brought a flying save out of keeper Adam Seedhouse-Evans just before the final whistle.

The Tangerines may not have been looking forward to a New Year’s Day trip to Ivybridge Town – but, as their recent defeats have all come at the Playing Field, they might now welcome a change of scenery.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Mark Cornish, Tom Stone, Jordan Hayman, Sam Gleeson, Miles Quick, Sam Pashen, Sam Towler, Josh Lukins, Josh Baker, Jake Quick. Substitutes, Nathan Byrne, Sully McKenna, Alex Cherry, Sam Sheldrake, Lewis Jennings.

Photos courtesy of Around Wellington.