Jewson Western League premier division: Wellington 2, Ivybridge Town 0

Wellington finished their season on a high note with an excellent all-round display to beat Ivybridge Town at the Playing Field yesterday (Easter Monday).

The win was tinged with sadness as striker Jake Quick played his last game before retiring while Lauren Watts is stepping down after three years as our sports therapist.
Thanks to them both.

The result took the Tangerines’ points tally past the 50 mark – their highest total in the division since 2008-09.

It also moved them up to 13th in the table, although they will drop a place if Brislington beat Brixham in their final game on Saturday.

Wellington named an unchanged starting 11 for the third successive time as mid-table Ivybridge paid their first visit after winning promotion last season.

The sides drew 1-1 when they met in Devon last month and there was little to choose between them in the opening half-hour.

But Wellington then struck twice in five minutes to take control and, after that,never looked like losing the lead.

They went ahead when a corner from skipper Sam Towler was flicked on by Tom Stone and man of the match Mark Cornish volleyed home at the far post.

Defender Mark Cornish was our man of the match and he is pictured receiving the award from sponsor, Joe Conway of Conway Cladding Ltd.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Jake Quick marked the end of a wonderful playing career with a typical finish.

In his last game before retiring, the striker latched on to a through ball from Josh Lukins and had plenty to do as he went wide of the keeper but then cut back inside to drive home.

It stayed at 2-0 until the break and Wellington has a third ‘goal’ disallowed nine minutes into the second half as Phil Mendonca’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Both keepers also pulled off fine saves – Wellington’s Jack McAndrews from a cross which took a wicked deflection and opposite number Jordan Duffey to deny Glen Wright.

But the Tangerines closed out the game to secure three more points and another clean sheet to cap a successful campaign.

Wellington: Jack McAndrews, Mark Cornish, Jacob Shore, Tom Stone, Nathan Byrne, Josh Lukins, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Miles Quick, Phil Mendonca, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Sam Sheldrake, James De Selincourt, Charlie Wood (used); Harry Scott (not used).

In addition to Quick’s retirement, it was also the final match for Lauren Watts who is stepping down after three years as the club’s sports therapist.

While the first team may have ended their season, there is still plenty of football left across the club.

The Reserves finish off with a trip to Lyme Regis on Saturday while the Wildcats Ladies have four games to play and the U18s have three matches remaining.

Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.