FOOTBALL: Wellington reserves lose at Exeter University (From Somerset County Gazette)

FOOTBALL: Wellington reserves lose at Exeter University

2:58pm Sunday 30th September 2012 in Sport

Wellington Reserves slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Exeter University 3rd XI in Division One of the Devon and Exeter League yesterday and so slip to fifth in the table.

On a tight, narrow pitch, the Tangerines second string never truly got to grips with the uneven surface and tight lines and hunted in packs that did not look like the 4-5-1 formation that was set out as being the game plan.

Too many touches on the ball allowed University to suppress the possession that Wellington earned.

Luke Bryant - at right back for Wellington - had a great game as he defended solidly and ran up and back delivering excellent balls into the box and mopping up when he needed to defend.

Wellington were 2-0 down at the break.

First Exeter went down the left wing, were given too many touches, and produced a neat lob over Chris McKee. Then Wellington gave their opponents too much space to shoot and were punished with a powerful drive.

Wellington did improve in the second half and at least made the University keeper work, but he frustrated the side often.

The introduction of three subs - Jack Bryant, Joe Conway and Sam Bryant - improved things further and the youngest of the four Bryant brothers got one back for Wellington when he rifled one in over the top of the University keeper after a first effort had been saved.

Sam Bryant added bite into the middle of the park for Wellington and Adam Dawe worked hard all game, but time ran out for Wellington and they will visit league leaders Chard this weekend knowing they will need to be at their very best to get a result on the infamous Zembard Lane slope.

The match with Chard has been brought forward from next March and fills what would have been a blank date.

Wellington: Chris McKee, Luke Bryant, Paul Jefferies, Jamie Fleet, Simon Morton, Joe Enticott, James Rowley (C), Adam Dawe, Conor Bryant, Simon Dennehy, Oli Nott.

Subs: Jack Bryant (Used), Joe Conway (Used), Sam Bryant (Used), Tom Phillips (Not Used)