FA Cup extra preliminary round
Bridport 0, Wellington AFC 0

WELLINGTON earned the chance of another crack at the £2,250 FA Cup prize money and an away tie with either Hallen or Longwell Green Sports with a battling 0-0 draw at a rainy Bridport on Saturday, writes Kerry Miller.

It was no more than they deserved after a good defensive performance in the first half followed by a second half full of counter-attacking and midfield battling.

Bridport played their part in a match which could give 0-0 draws a good name in constant rain which, for once in this part of Dorset, was a blessing rather than a disaster.

Wellington were forced to play without Joe Chamberlain and Kai Fisher, who were both sent off last Saturday, but the sides were in no mood to mess about as tackles flew in.

Leighton Thomas was looking lively for the Bees and he fed Richard Hebditch, who brought a save out of Josh McLean, then Hebditch broke to set up Lee Sweet, whose first effort was saved before he knocked over the rebound.

Sam Bryant then provoked the first outburst of aggression with a late challenge on Kamaron Andrews and was booked along with Josh Wadham, who was one of at least seven Wellington players chasing referee Hobbs while screaming into his face.

A further half dozen bookings for dissent at that moment would have nipped everything in the bud but Wellington survived.

Wadham hit a free-kick from 20 yards which was deflected for a corner, then from a quick counter-attack his curling strike was only a yard wide from distance on the half hour.

The visitors were playing their part in a very watchable game and Bridport survived a massive scramble as the last five minutes became frantic.

Thomas’s fine work enabled Dan Peach to test McLean, before Bryant shot at James Smith with the last play of the half.

From the restart Conor Bryant won a battle to set up Wadham, who brought another save out of Smith, but Wellington were giving as good as they were getting, and after Oscar Latas had a 25-yarder saved, Sweet’s drive was equalled by McLean’s flying stop.

Wellington’s counter strikes were looking increasingly potent and when Jack Bryant and Wadham found themselves two-on-two with the home defence, Chris McGrath did just enough to allow Smith to save for a corner.

Sweet then somehow got his frame in the way of Tom Hawkings’ shot, and with Welly going for the win Jack Bryant volleyed inches over.

Bridport at times in the second half were looking second best, but in their best move of the match McGrath won a challenge before Hebditch found Dan Peach, who set up Thomas, whose snap-shot was held by McLean.

With what was the last play of the match, Thomas’s shot was parried out by McLean and cleared, so the teams must do it all again on Wednesday night (ko 7.45pm) in the replay, which will be at Cullompton Rangers FC, as Wellington’s ground is unavailable until next month due to cricket.

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Toolstation Western League
First Division
Bishops Lydeard 4, Chippenham Park 1

BISHOPS Lydeard sit second in the First Division table after a second successive win on Saturday.

Having beaten Wells City 3-0 last Wednesday, Lydeard took the momentum into a home clash with Chippenham Park but scoring four goals.

Mark Clunie gave them the lead three minutes before half time, with a superb curled strike that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Despite the hosts dominating the game, they were pegged back by an equaliser on 66 minutes, only for Mark Cornish to put them back ahead with a deflected effort eight minutes later.

They made it 3-1 in the 81st minutes, Luke Desave converting a Clunie through ball, and wrapped it up in added time - substitute Harry Miller with a cool finish.

Lydeard are back in action on Saturday, once again at Cothelstone Road, against Bristol Telephones (ko 3pm).