Jewson Western League premier division: Ivybridge Town 1, Wellington 3
Wellington returned to league action for the first time since Boxing Day with an excellent win at Ivybridge Town.
Goal scorers Alfie Slough and Josh Baker.
The goals came from Josh Baker (two) and Alfie Slough although the win was achieved thanks to an outstanding all-round display by the entire 16-man squad.
The game brought together the two sides who lost out on Saturday’s Les Phillips Cup semi-finals and it was the Tangerines who struck first after only seven minutes.
Charlie Shearer made a superb run down the right and his pinpoint cross saw Josh Baker rise unchallenged to score with a textbook downward header.
However, Wellington’s early advantage was short-lived as Ivybridge drew level on nine minutes when Kai Burrell drove home from the edge of the box, his strike taking a deflection on its way into the net.
Wellington keeper Andy Collings, who had produced a fine early save, was called into action again on 17 minutes, producing a sharp stop at his near post to keep the scores level.
At the other end, Jack Winsor showed great tenacity midway through the half, robbing a defender and surging forward, but he could not keep his shot on target as the game continued at a lively pace.
Wellington went close to restoring their lead in the 37th minute when Oscar Albano’s volley took a deflection and seemed destined for the net, only for Ivybridge keeper Kane Gregory to produce a brilliant save to claw the ball away.
The sides went in level at the break when Wellington made a change, Mark Cornish replacing Sam Sheldrake in defence as they looked to get back in front..
A flowing move on 57 minutes almost brought reward when Winsor’s effort was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Gregory. From the resulting corner, Cornish rose highest but saw his header crash against the crossbar.
Ivybridge responded and Collings again proved his worth on 61 minutes, getting down well to push a free kick round the post. The resulting corner was cleared from under the bar and eventually blasted over.
Wellington’s persistence paid off on 64 minutes. A free kick from Sam Towler was not properly cleared and Baker reacted quickest inside the box to poke home his second goal of the evening and restore the visitors’ lead.
With Ivybridge pushing for an equaliser, Collings produced a brilliant reaction save on 83 minutes to prevent an own goal. It proved a key moment as the points were then sealed a minute from time.
Albano led a swift counter-attack and substitute Alfie Slough saw his initial effort crash against the underside of the bar. Gregory saved the rebound effort but Slough reacted first to bury the rebound and make it 3-1.
The victory completed a 3-1 double for the Tangerines who go again on Saturday with a home game v Bradford Town.
Wellington: Andy Collings, Sam Sheldrake, Tom Stone, Jordan Hayman, Harvey Field, Charlie Shearer, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Jack Winsor, Oscar Albano, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Mark Cornish, Jake Haggerty, Josh Lukins, Ryan Brereton, Alfie Slough (all used).
