Somerset Premier Cup second round: Cheddar 2-4 Wellington

TWO goals apiece from Josh Baker and Kieran Ireland earned Wellington AFC a place in the quarter-finals of the Somerset Premier Cup last night (Tuesday). 

The Tangerines’ confidence-boosting result - only their third win of the season - was set up by a dominant start which saw them 3-0 up inside 25 minutes. 

Manager Richard Cherry made a number of changes for the tie against a side struggling in division one of the Toolstation League. 

They included another appearance for striker Baker who is dual registered with Willand Rovers of the Southern League. 

He scored a hat-trick against Odd Down in the previous round of the competition and was soon back among the goals with a pair of early strikes. 

Baker put Wellington ahead after ten minutes as he fired into the roof of the net, having been set up by defender Mark Cornish. 

And he scored again shortly afterwards, knocking the ball home after keeper Kieran Webster could only parry Ryan Brereton’s well struck free kick. 

Another rebound off Webster resulted in Wellington’s third, this time a shot by Lewis Jennings being converted by Ireland. 

To their credit, Cheddar refused to buckle, and they pulled a goal back after 27 minutes through Adam Davies. 

They took the game to Wellington after the break and reduced the arrears further with 13 minutes remaining as Morgan Bacon was allowed to turn and fire home. 

That set up a nervy finish for Wellington, but the visitors had the final say in added time as Ireland scored his second from a pull-back by Cornish. 

The Tangerines now enter the draw for the last eight with the ties expected to take place early in the New Year. 

They return to Toolstation premier action on Saturday when Torpoint Athletic visit the Playing Field, kick off is 3pm. 

Wellington: Rhys Williams, Mark Cornish, Josh Young, Alex Cherry, Tom Stone (capt), Glen Wright, Ryan Brereton, Kieran Ireland, Josh Baker, Josh Lukins, Lewis Jennings. Substitutes: Ryan Hibbbert, James Cottrill and Gabriel Plant (used); Shay Allen (not used).