FOOTBALL: Wellington take Barnstaple to extra time (From Somerset County Gazette)

FOOTBALL: Wellington take Barnstaple to extra time

3:00pm Sunday 16th September 2012 in Sport

Wellington started life under the managership of Jamie Ward with an extra-time FA Vase defeat away to Barnstaple yesterday.

Ward was taking charge of the side for the first time - having been appointed in midweek to replace the sacked Colin Merrick - and he was joined in the dugout by new assistant manager Paul Short as Wellington went down 2-1.

His first line-up included midfielder Andy Butler, who had been signed on the eve of the game after quitting Taunton Town, and they got off to an encouraging start with some attractive football.

But it was Barnstaple, who play in the Toolstation Premier, who took the lead after 22 minutes when Wellington lost possession in midfield.

The ball was played through for Kyle Bassett to run on and produce a cool finish past keeper Callum O'Brien.

Wellington scored a deserved equaliser four minutes before the break as Mark Clunie - making his first start in midfield after being injured in the opening game of the season - swung over a corner from the right, which was met by a thumping header from big central defender Ollie Feltham.

Chances were few and far between in the second half - with Bassett proving a constant threat for the home team - but the sides remained locked together at the final whistle and so the tie went into extra time.

And Barnstaple scored what proved to be the winner in the first minute of the opening period when the impressive Roger Ingham wriggled into space and chipped over a cross, which was headed home by Ross Jones.

Wellington: Callum O'Brien, Sam Towler, Jack Adams, Tom Ellis, Ollie Feltham, Ashley Parker, Mark Clunie, Andy Butler, Leon Taswell, Luke Redrup, Matt Pounde. Substitutes: Alex Izzard, Joe Conway and Dale Webber (used), Max Westlake (not used).