Les Phillips Cup: Cheddar 0, Wellington 4
Wellington reached the semi-finals of the Jewson Western League’s Les Phillips Cup for the first time with a comprehensive victory at Cheddar tonight (Tuesday).
Playing their first match for more than a month, the Tangerines showed few signs of rustiness as they proved too strong for their hosts, who are struggling in the division below.
On a heavy pitch, Wellington applied plenty of pressure in the opening stages and yet were lucky not to fall behind after 19 minutes.
A clearance by keeper Andy Collings was blocked by Harry Roynon, leaving the Cheddar striker with an open goal, but he blazed his effort high and wide.
That let-off seemed to spur on Wellington. Their first chance arrived on 25 minutes when Josh Baker raced on to Josh Lukins’ long ball, only for home keeper Will Creaser to make a solid block.
The breakthrough came on the half-hour. A scramble in the Cheddar penalty area saw the ball bobble invitingly into the path of Jordan Hayman, who drove home from just inside the box to give Wellington the lead.
Three minutes later, Baker was denied again, his shot blocked by a defender, while Harvey Field fired just over from distance as Wellington began to turn the screw.
Cheddar were handed a golden chance to level just before the interval when former Wellington player Lewis Jennings was brought down in the box.
But Jordan Sole blazed the resulting penalty over the bar, and the visitors made them pay almost immediately.
On the stroke of half-time, Sam Towler slipped a neat pass into the path of Nathan Byrne, who made no mistake to double the advantage.
Wellington effectively put the tie beyond doubt six minutes after the restart. Byrne turned provider this time, delivering a low cross which Towler met with a clinical finish for the third goal.
There was no let-up and, on 57 minutes, Lukins added a fourth with a driven effort from 25 yards which proved too powerful for Creaser to keep out.
With the job done, Wellington managed the game professionally, although Collings was called into action on 66 minutes to preserve their clean sheet with a smart save.
The result means Wellington now have a home semi-final against Barnstaple Town on Saturday, February 28th.
Attention turns back to league action on Saturday when Brislington visit the Carly Press Ground – Wellington’s first league outing since Boxing Day.
Wellington: Andy Collings, Jordan Hayman, Tom Stone, Mark Cornish, Harvey Field, Josh Lukins, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Nathan Byrne, Miles Quick, Josh Baker. Substitutes; Jacob Shore, Alfie Slough, Oscar Albano, Ryan Brereton (used), James De Selincourt (not used).
