Jewson Western League premier division: Wellington 1, Clevedon Town 2
A goal in the 90th minute denied Wellington a deserved point against the league leaders in a feisty encounter at the Carly Press Ground yesterday (Saturday).
Defender Mark Cornish was our player of the match and he is pictured with supporter Phil Conn who kindly sponsored the game.
When the sides met earlier in the season, Josh Baker put the Tangerines ahead before Clevedon hit back for victory.
And it was a similar story as Baker again gave the hosts an early lead when Sam Towler’s corner was headed goalwards by Tom Stone and the striker knocked the ball over the line from close range.
After that bright start, chances were at a premium as both sides cancelled each other out in a hard-fought battle.
Clevedon enjoyed spells of pressure but Wellington remained organised at the back and restricted the visitors to efforts from distance.
The deadlock was finally broken on 37 minutes when the visitor levelled. A low drive struck the inside of the far post and Seb Scott reacted quickest to slam home the rebound, sending the sides in level at the interval after a physical first half.
The second period followed a similar pattern, with neither side prepared to back down.
Clevedon were reduced to ten men shortly after the restart when one of their players was sin-binned, giving Wellington a lift as they looked to press home their numerical advantage.
Towler continued to cause problems from set pieces and the hosts almost restored the lead on the hour as another of his corners was met by Tom Stone, whose header dropped wide.
At the end, keeper Jack McAndrews showed good awareness to race from his line and clear a dangerous through ball ahead of an onrushing striker.
Former Wellington player Dave Thorne poked an effort over the bar as the game entered its final stages, with a draw looking like a fair result.
But the decisive moment came cruelly late for the hosts as the ball was rolled back to Glen Hayer just outside the corner of the box and he struck a first-time low shot past the diving McAndrews.
The referee then played more than ten minutes of stoppage time but Wellington were unable to force an equaliser.
The Tangerines will look to take heart from a battling display as they return to action next Saturday with a trip to Brislington.
Wellington: Jack McAndrews, Jake Haggerty, Tom Stone, Mark Cornish, Nathan Byrne, Alfie Slough, Sam Towler, Glen Wright, Oscar Albano, James De Selincourt, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Ryan Brereton, Jordan Hayman, Abdel Maikassoua (used); Daniel Conway and Igor Pieswizco (not used).
Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.
