Les Phillips Cup: Wellington 2, Shepton Mallet 1
A pair of late goals by Sam Towler and skipper Glen Wright earned Wellington a dramatic cup victory over Shepton Mallet.
Glen Wright was named as player of the match and he received the award from sponsor Dave Grose, who is currently holidaying in England from his home in Australia.
They will now host Cheddar in the quarter-finals at the Carly Press Ground this Saturday.
The Tangerines were without the suspended Nathan Byrne and Tom Stone for the tie, which had been postponed twice because of the weather.
They were also missing both first-choice keepers and so Miles Quick took over between the posts.
Playing for the first time since Boxing Day, Wellington made a nervous start and were fortunate not to fall behind inside the opening minute.
Shepton’s Finn Koppa broke through and rounded Quick, but saw his effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Mark Cornish.
That warning went unheeded six minutes later as Koppa met a cross and made no mistake to give the visitors an early lead.
Shepton continued to threaten and Quick was quickly into the action, producing a smart save on 18 minutes before denying the visitors again four minutes later, Josh Lukins helping out with a timely clearance.
Wellington were forced into some stout defending midway through the half, a sequence of three blocks eventually ending with a welcome clearance.
The hosts gradually began to find some rhythm and created their first real opening on 32 minutes when Josh Baker slipped in James De Selincourt who was unable to capitalise.
Oscar Albano twice went close before the break, curling efforts narrowly wide as Wellington pushed for an equaliser.
The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides looking to score on the break.
Alfie Slough tested the Shepton keeper early on while, at the other end, Quick continued his impressive display, saving again from a left-wing break on the hour and making another fine stop as the game opened up.
Shepton always had the edge and looked set for a deserved victory only to hit by a double whammy right at the death.
Four minutes from time, Baker charged down a clearance and his cross was swept home by Sam Towler to keep the Tangerines’ cup hopes alive.
And the comeback was completed in spectacular fashion just three minutes later when Wright produced a moment of pure quality.
The ball came out to him and, from 25 yards, he produced a perfectly-executed volley which dropped into the top corner – a strike worthy of winning any match and one which sent Wellington through to the last eight.
Wellington: Miles Quick, Jack Alcock, Mark Cornish. Jordan Hayman, Josh Lukins, Oscar Albano, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, James De Selincourt, Alfie Slough, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Ryan Haggerty, Igor Piewiszco, Ryan Brereton, Daniel Conway (all used).
BELOW: Scorers Sam Towler and Glen Wright.
