Despite taking the lead, Wellington were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Vase by lower league Sidmouth Town at the Playing Field yesterday (Saturday, September 21).
The visitors, who play in the South West Peninsula League Premier East, showed why they have only lost once this season with their more clinical finishing sealing a place in the next round.
The Tangerines started well and Harry Scott shot wide from a good position before they went ahead after 19 minutes.
Sam Gleeson’s long cross from the left was headed back across goal by Jake Quick for big striker Matt Crawley to head his first goal for the club from close range.
But it all went wrong for Wellington six minutes later as defender Tom Stone was sin-binned and, from the resulting free kick, the ball reached Harry Saunders who shot low past keeper Jake Viney.
The hosts then suffered a blow when skipper Glen Wright limped off and, although it stayed 1-1 until the break, Sidmouth went in front three minutes into the second half.
Stone was judged to have handled a long throw into the home box and former Taunton Town striker Craig Veal stepped up to coolly dispatch the spot kick.
Wellington enjoyed plenty of possession as they pushed forward in a bid to draw level but there was no way through a well organised defence.
Indeed, it was Sidmouth who increased their lead with three minutes remaining as a layback was driven home to Ryan Gilpin.
The Tangerines continued to press but a bad afternoon was capped in injury time when midfielder Sam Towler received a second yellow card before sub Josh Lukins hit the bar just before the final whistle.
Wellington return to league action next Saturday with a trip into Cornwall to take on St Blazey.
Wellington: Jake Viney, Sam Sheldrake. Mark Cornish, Tom Stone, Jason Quick, Sam Gleeson, Harry Scott, Sam Towler, Glen Wright, Matt Crawley, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Nathan Byrne, Josh Lukins, Phil Mendonca, Ryan Hibbert (used); Rob Hall (not used).
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