Western League Premier Division
Clevedon Town 4, Wellington 2

LIAM Dempsey's early opener set the tone for a straightforward victory for Clevedon Town against Wellington at the Hand Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes Kerry Miller.

Not for the first time, outfielder Mitch Woodgate was forced to don the gloves for Welly and, six minutes later, the lead was doubled and the visiting faithful were looking down the barrel of a hiding – mindful of the 11-0 thrashing Willand handed out back in September.

Giant striker Clayton Fortune hit a similar shot which again deceived Woodgate to make it 2-0 but, to their credit, Clive Jones’ team dug in and within two minutes Ian Bellinger thrashed in a volley and Wellington were back in it.

Sam Towler then hit a crisp volley inches wide for Wellington as the rain began to fall, before Bellinger’s free-kick brought a flying save out of home keeper Damien Freeman.

Clevedon were playing some incisive football and Dempsey was denied by Woodgate but, on 33 minutes, it was 3-1 as Morgan Davies drilled a left foot shot across Woodgate and in.

Although never remotely a dirty game, the cautions began to rack up and the half ended with Bellinger’s corner reaching Glen Wright, whose glancing header missed by inches.

After the break, Davies hit another sighter over Woodgate’s bar before former Bishops Lydeard forward Joe Chamberlain saw his shot kept out by Freeman.

Welly’s recent signing Kai Fisher then found himself in the penalty area and was in the right place to convert a cross from the left, but it was ruled out for offside.

Woodgate showed he is no slouch with the gloves as he denied Williams, who was in one on one, but just as Wellington were looking to get back in the game Lucas Vowles was hauled down by George Painter - Barnes smashed in the spot-kick with four minutes left.

Wellington had the final say when Tim Legg knocked in a rebound after the ball had come back off the bar, but it was too much to ask to come back and Clevedon took the points.

Wellington sit third bottom going into Saturday's clash with Cadbury Heath.