WELLINGTON Reserves made a flying start to the season in the Premier Division of the Stitch2Print Devon and Exeter Football League when they beat East Budleigh 5-3 away in appalling weather.

But they had to withstand a fightback from the hosts who trailed 3-0 – thanks to a first half hat-trick by Jack Bryant – only to pull it back to 3-3.

Wellington got off to the best possible start as Bryant struck three times in the opening 33 minutes. He drove home a low shot from a corner after six minutes before pouncing on a bad back pass to make it 2-0 14 minutes later, and then completed his treble by curling a superb free-kick just inside the post.

However, as conditions worsened, it all went wrong either side of half-time for Wellington, including having two players sin-binned.

East Budleigh pulled one back with the goal of the game just before the break – a cracking shot which flew into the top corner – and they got on level terms with two close-range finishes after 47 and 75 minutes.

Wellington were on the ropes but they showed great character to regain their shape and go on to clinch victory - thanks to two goals from Alfie Barrett. The striker took advantage of some hesitant defending to restore the visitors’ lead after 78 minutes and then made the points safe with a diving header four minutes later after Connor Pengelly had headed a free-kick back across goal.

The Reserves have a break from the action before playing their first home game of the season - against Lyme Regis in a league match at the Playing Field on Saturday, September 13.

Meanwhile, Colyton and Winkleigh are the early leaders of the Premier Division after winning their first two matches, both having the same goal difference.