Wellington AFC through to Les Phillips Cup quarter-finals

Late strikes from Sam Towler and Glen Wright saw Wellington AFC progress to the Les Phillips Cup in dramatic fashion <i>(Image: Around Wellington)</i>
Late strikes from Sam Towler and Glen Wright saw Wellington AFC progress to the Les Phillips Cup in dramatic fashion (Image: Around Wellington)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Wellington AFC staged a stunning late comeback to defeat Shepton Mallet in the Les Phillips Cup.

This victory, earned by goals from Sam Towler and captain Glen Wright, secured the Tangerines a spot in the quarter-finals, where they will host Cheddar at the Carly Press Ground on Saturday, January 24.

Wellington, playing for the first time since Boxing Day and missing suspended players Nathan Byrne and Tom Stone, was also without their first-choice goalkeepers.

This saw player Miles Quick step in as keeper, and the hosts made a nervous start.

Shepton Mallet seized upon an unease, and nearly took the lead in the first minute when Finn Koppa broke through and rounded Quick, only for his shot to be cleared off the line by Mark Cornish.

The warning shot was not heeded by Wellington, as Koppa made no mistake six minutes later, meeting a cross to give the visitors a deserved early lead.

Quick was busy throughout the first half, making crucial saves in the 18th and 22nd minute, with help from a timely clearance by Josh Lukins.

The Tangerines, however, refused to be daunted, and their perseverance began to show just before the break, with Oscar Albano narrowly missing the mark on two occasions.

The second half was a closely contested affair, with chances at both ends as each team looked for a breakaway goal.

Alfie Slough tested the Shepton Mallet keeper early on, but it was Quick who stole the show, making several crucial saves to keep Wellington in the match.

The visitors looked on course for victory, but Wellington had different ideas.

With just four minutes left, Josh Baker charged down a clearance to create a cross that was finished by Towler.

This sparked new hope and Wellington responded in style, largely thanks to a moment of brilliance from Wright.

Picking up the ball 25 yards out, the skipper fired a perfectly executed volley that fell into the top corner, sealing the win in spectacular fashion and sending the Tangerines into the last eight.

The full Wellington line-up for this match included Miles Quick, Jack Alcock, Cornish, Hayman, Lukins, Albano, Wright, Towler, James De Selincourt, Slough, and Baker, with Ryan Haggerty, Igor Piewiszco, Ryan Brereton, and Daniel Conway all featuring as substitutes.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos