Wellington hope to sign ex-Taunton man

3:30pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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WELLINGTON manager Leigh Robinson said he would like sign former Taunton Town midfielder Darren Stone.

The Australian former Richard Huish Academy player, who played for the Peacocks for much of last season, turned out for Wellington in their 4-3 friendly defeat at South-West Peninsula Premier side Witheridge last weekend.

Robinson said: "Darren was basically doing us a favour as we had a number of players unavailable.

"He wasn't someone I was going out to sign as he has played a higher level, but he enjoyed it and scored a good goal. I would be very keen to sign him and I will be speaking to him again."

Stone (hamstring) was one of three Wellington players injured in the defeat at Witheridge, whose side contained a host of players who have signed from Toolstation Premier Division clubs - the level Wellington have been promoted to.

Marcus Vaughan injured a groin and Dan Short had to have ten stitches after a clash of heads late in the game.

Craig Herrod, Stone and new-signing Aaron Deeks were on target for Wellington, who were without skipper Simon Ingram, Shane Kingston, Alex Pounde and Jon Crowford - all on holiday.

Robinson said: "Witheridge have signed a pack of players from clubs like Willand and Barnstaple, who play at our level, so it was avery good test in terms of what we're going to face this season.

"We were without four key players and were disrupted by the injuries but took a lot of positives from the game. In terms of fitness and performance level, we're a long way ahead of where we were at this stage last season."

Wellington continue their pre-season programme on Saturday with a trip to play Elmore. Ingram, Kingston and Crowford all return to the side. Next Tuesday, they are away to Wells City.