WELLINGTON swept into the next round of the Somerset Premier Cup with a 5-3 win over Toolstation League Division One Odd Down at the Playing Field. Wellington fielded a changed team to give other squad members game time but also included former player Josh Baker on loan from Willand Rovers.
Baker made his mark as early as the third minute, turning home a cross which had been flicked on by Ryan Hibbert. Odd Down, however, were showing great pace in their attacks and came close to equalising when Ben Millett hit the underside of the crossbar but the ball bounced out and then Mark Cornish was forced to clear off the line.
Baker, who was always lively upfront, was then brought down by the Odd Down keeper in the box who made amends by saving Tom Burt’s spot kick. Baker was back in the action again when he rose to a Josh Lukins' free-kick to send a looping header over the keeper to make the score 2–0. An eventful first-half ended with Odd Down pulling a goal back when Millett latched onto a ball over the top to poke home.
Shay Allen made a welcome return from injury replacing Rhys Williams in goal after the break and new signing Sol Barclay replaced James Cottrill but Odd Down were soon back on level terms when Tyrone Mulholland thundered a free kick from 30 yards against the underside of the bar but this time the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Wellington regained the lead when a Nathan Byrne free-kick was headed home by central defender Jordan Hayman. Shortly after Tom Stone replaced Hibbert and Ryan Brereton replaced James Cottrill and then Glen Wright was brought on for Lukins.
Wellington extended their lead when a Burt cross was headed across goal for Stone to nod home and they added a fifth with just minutes remaining from arguably their best football of the season. The move started from their own penalty area and with quick accurate passing involving a number of players resulted in a cross from the left to Baker who completed his hat-trick with a spectacular diving header. The visitors had the last say deep in added time when Alfie Andrews latched onto a pass to score from close range.