Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Wellington AFC 1, Cadbury Heath 2

WELLINGTON slipped five points off a top-half place after losing 2-1 at home to mid-table rivals Cadbury Heath on Saturday.

Heath pulled level with the Tangerines on 33 points after two Sacha Tong goals gave them the victory at North Street.

Josh Wadham replied for the hosts, but back-to-back home defeats ahead of two weekends without a match could well see them slide down the table.

Assistant manager Ben Welch was in charge, with boss Clive Jones on holiday in the Caribbean, and there were three changes – goalkeeper Josh Mclean, defender Jack Bown-Porter and winger Joe Chamberlain coming in.

The Tangerines had their fair share of the early chances, with Wadham being denied by visiting goalkeeper Matt Semple and skipper Glen Wright having an effort cleared off the line.

At the other end, Tong was left unmarked to head at goal, but Mclean somehow pushed to ball onto the bar and over.

But Tong was proving a constant menace, and he opened the scoring on 29 minutes, a cross headed in his direction and the low shot beating Mclean.

And the hosts' task became even harder five minutes before half-time, as Simon McElroy drove forward and Tong converted his cross to make it 2-0.

Chamberlain came off at the break due to injury, meaning Mitch Woodgate came on to support Conor Bryant up top.

George Rogers and Joe Wylie were also introduced from the bench, and the Tangerines pulled one back with 13 minutes to go.

A ball into the penalty area bounced up and hit the hand of Toby Rennie, and Wadham tucked away the spot-kick.

Wellington pushed for an equaliser, but with Wright's header being cleared off the line, they were left frustrated.

Sitting 12th in the table but with only two points between them and 16th (and having played more games than any other team in the division), Wellington have a rest until Saturday, March 23, when they entertain second-placed Bitton.

***

Toolstation Western League
First Division
Chippenham Park 4, Bishops Lydeard 5

BISHOPS Lydeard shrugged off the effects of a delayed trip to Chippenham Park on Sunday, as they claimed all three points from a nine-goal epic.

Kick-off was delayed due to an accident on the M5, which held up the Lydeard team, but the match was worth the wait.

Goals from Jake Quick (2), Jason Quick, Luke Bryant (from the penalty spot) and Sam Mockridge handed the visitors the points, with Devan Bryan and Rhys Talmash scoring a brace each for Chippenham.

The result sees Lydeard rise two places to 15th in the First Division standings, four points clear of the bottom three teams.

This Saturday brings a crucial match, with Lydeard hosting 19th-placed (second from bottom) Portishead Town (ko 3pm).