WELLINGTON began life after manager Jamie Ward with a morale-boosting 3-1 victory in their Good Friday local derby at Elmore.

Ward had left the club two days earlier to take over at Evo-Stick Southern League side Tiverton Town and, to make matters worse, Wellington were without a string of players either unavailable or injured.

The team were run by captain Scott Holland and former assistant boss and reserves manager Kevin Hazeldine.

And their re-shaped side – including three players from the successful Reserves – turned in an excellent all-round display.

Wellington started brightly but it was Elmore who went ahead after 18 minutes as striker James Blake took advantage of some slack defending to run on and shoot past keeper Jake Viney.

The visitors were unlucky not to get on terms ten minutes later when young Jamie Fleet, playing up front, lobbed keeper Joe Moore but defender James Skinner got back to clear the danger.

However, they were not to be denied and drew level seven minutes before the break as some neat play by Sam Bryant saw him feed Max Westlake who scored with 25-yard low drive.

That boosted Wellington’s confidence and they went on to boss the second half, taking the lead after 57 minutes through midfielder Nicky Ford, who capped a fine display with a precise finish from wide-out after Moore had denied Bryant.

Although Viney saved well from Blake, who also saw a shot thump against the bar late-on, Wellington made the game virtually safe after 65 minutes.

It was pure “route one” as a massive clearance from Viney sailed over the home defence and Bryant ran on to give Moore no chance with a first-time volley.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Tom Ellis, Scott Holland, Martin White, Jack Adams, Connor Bryant, Joe Holmes, Nicky Ford, Max Westlake, Sam Bryant, Jamie Fleet. Substitutes: Jack Bryant and Matt Francis (used); Andy Butler (not used). Attendance: 62.