Les Phillips Cup semi-finals: Wellington 1, Barnstaple Town 2

Wellington could hold their heads high after a battling display saw them edged out by Barnstaple Town at the Carly Press Ground yesterday (Saturday, February 28th).

Defender Tom Stone was our player of the match and he is pictured being congratulated by manager Richard Cherry.

The Tangerines were playing in their first Les Phillips semi-final against a side currently sitting in the play-off places in the Jewson Western League’s premier division.

Before our biggest crowd of the season, they rose to the occasion and pushed Barnstaple all the way but it was the visitors who earned the right to take on Bradford Town in the final.

Barnstaple looked lively from the kick-off and threatened inside the opening ten minutes as Joshua Parry’s header was blocked by the chest of keeper Andy Collings.

The visitors then made the breakthrough on 15 minutes. A chip across the box found Luke Mortimore, who brought the ball under control, created a yard of space and fired home.

Wellington responded positively and carved out their first opening on 23 minutes when Josh Baker drove an effort across goal.

At the other end, a dangerous Barnstaple free-kick on 32 minutes was volleyed over as a closely-fought game ebbed and flowed.

The equaliser arrived on 35 minutes and it was worth the wait. A long throw was flicked on by Tom Stone into the path of Baker, who produced a superb overhead kick which gave the keeper no chance and sent the home crowd into raptures.

With their tails up, Wellington nearly went in front just before the break as Sam Towler volleyed just wide, leaving the sides level at half-time.

The Tangerines began the second half brightly. Within three minutes of the restart, Ryan Brereton went close with a volley from a Towler corner as they looked to seize the initiative.

However, it was Barnstaple who struck the decisive blow after 67 minutes. A clearance came out to Tommy Rogers who brought the ball under control before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard drive across Collings and inside the far post to make it 2-1.

Wellington threw men forward in a bid to force penalties, but they could find no way through a well-organised Barnstaple defence.

While there was disappointment at the final whistle, the Tangerines were applauded off the pitch after a cracking cup tie played in a great atmosphere.

We go again on Tuesday with a trip to Ivybridge Town for their first league game since Boxing Day.

Wellington: Andy Collings, Jordan Hayman, Tom Stone, Mark Cornish, Nathan Byrne, Josh Lukins, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Oscar Albano, Ryan Brereton, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Charlie Shearer, Alfie Slough, Jack Alcock, Daniel Conway (used); Rob Hall (not used).

Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.