We recorded our first pre-season victory this afternoon (Saturday, July 12th) with a 1-0 win over Middlezoy Rovers in sweltering conditions at Court Fields School.
With a number of players away on holiday, our line-up featured several changes from the squad beaten 2-0 by Southern League newcomers Brixham the previous week.
Middlezoy, who play in the South West Peninsula League, created the first clearcut opening only for the shot to go just wide of the target.
The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes with what proved to be the game’s decisive moment.
Nathan Byrne got behind the Middlezoy defence on the left and his low cross was clinically dispatched by Eddie Townsend, who has come up through our youth ranks.
The visitors took the game to Wellington after the break and keeper Jack McAndrews was forced into a couple of smart stops while, at the other end, Byrne was denied at close range.
Middlezoy felt they should have had a penalty in the closing minutes but their appeals were waved away by the referee who blew the final whistle shortly afterwards.
Our final two pre-season friendlies are both away to Southern League opposition – Willand Rovers on Wednesday (ko 7.30pm) and Bideford next Saturday.
The new Jewson Western League season starts on Saturday, July 26th when we make what will be our longest journey of the campaign, into Cornwall to take on Helston Athletic.
