Jewson Western League premier division: Torpoint 1, Wellington 4
Wellington saved the best to last as they shattered Torpoint’s title dreams and handed the championship to Barnstaple Town with a superb display in Cornwall last night (Tuesday, April 21st).
Torpoint – unbeaten at home all season – needed victory over the 16th-placed Tangerines to seal automatic promotion to the Southern League.
But Wellington clearly hadn’t read the script as Richard Cherry’s side blew them away with three goals in the first half before adding a fourth after the break.
The visitors stunned the 600-plus crowd by taking the lead after 14 minutes with a wonderful strike. Charlie Shearer burst forward and fed Oscar Albano who cut inside before giving keeper Kyle Moore no chance with a perfectly-placed curler.
Celebration time as Oscar Albano scores the opening goal.
It got even better three minutes later as they doubled their advantage. Sam Towler volleyed towards goal and Josh Baker diverted the ball with his head up and over Moore.
That was the signal for Torpoint to put Wellington under pressure but their only serious effort of the half, after 38 minutes, was well saved by keeper Andy Collings.
And they looked shellshocked when the Tangerines made it 3-0 just before the interval. Baker was brought down in the box and James De Selincourt stroked home the resulting penalty.
After 15 straight wins at their Mill Road ground, Torpoint were not going to take it lying down and they started the second half brightly only for Wellington to increase their lead just before the hour mark.
A Towler corner was headed goalwards and Baker fired his second of the night into the roof of the net from close range.
The hosts gave themselves a glimmer of hope by pulling one back four minutes later as a hooked volley found its way into the net through a crowd of players.
But Wellington continued to defend magnificently to see out victory and, when the final whistle blew, the only sound came from their celebrating players, coaches and travelling supporters.
The shock result of the league’s season meant they ended with a hat-trick of wins and leapfrogged St Blazey to finish in 14th position you can see the final table by CLICKING HERE.
Meanwhile, runners-up Torpoint now host Sidmouth Town in Saturday’s play-off semi-finals while Paulton Rovers are home to Clevedon Town in the other game.
Wellington: Andy Collings, Jordan Hayman, Mark Cornish, Alex Cherry, Charlie Shearer, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Oscar Albano, James De Selincourt, Finley Newell, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Harry Chetland and Daniel Conway (used).
Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.
