WELLINGTON ended a traumatic close season with a plucky display in a 4-2 defeat away to Bovey Tracey in their opening Premier Division game in the Jewson Western League.

Manager Richard Cherry departed in May while his replacement Tornado Bello then stepped down after less than a month in the role leaving chairman Mike Hall to take charge of the side at Bovey.

His squad included a batch of new signings along with players making the step up from the club’s Reserves.

Wellington’s one remaining senior player, striker Josh Baker, was appointed captain – and he stunned the big Bovey crowd by giving the visitors a shock lead after only nine minutes. Wellington’s new keeper James Fowler pulled off a fine save with his legs after 17 minutes but could do nothing about the hosts’ equaliser just after the half-hour. Wellington failed to clear a free kick and Bovey scored from close range.

Bovey created a number of chances before the break as the first half ended 1-1. However, they then took control with two goals in three minutes early in the second half. Wellington’s battlers refused to lie down and almost pulled one back when new signing Harvey Conroy was sent clear by 17-year-old Ollie Ackland only to be denied by Andy Collins.

The visitors were not to be denied and made it 3-2 after 75 minutes. Baker was fouled and another new face, Evan Howse, stepped up to stroke the spot kick.

Wellington used all five subs in an effort to find an equaliser but any hopes of a point were dashed with eight minutes remaining as Bovey restored their two-goal advantage.

Wellington: James Fowler, Harry Chetland, Vincent Wright-Harper Innis, Connor Pengelly, Carl Jones, Nathaniel Hawkins, Daniel Conway, Sam Poole, Josh Baker, Ollie Ackland, Harvey Conroy. Substitutes: Ned Ogilvie, Connor Noble, Luca Staniforth, Lewis Oaten, Evan Howse (all used).