Wellington Reserves 2

Newtown Reserves 2

IT WAS possibly the worst performance of the season by the Tangerines, with a 90th minute penalty emphatically dispatched by Rohan Poulsom, rescuing a point to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games,

Jordan Sellick departed the game after five minutes with an injury and was replaced by Logan Sellick.

The playing surface was remarkably good, following the recent deluge of rain, with the team taking the lead on 22 minutes after some neat approach play with midfielder Aaron Hawkings applying a neat finish inside the box.

On a tight pitch with space at a premium the hosts equalised from a speculative shot that caught keeper Tom Hyam flat footed on 41 minutes to level proceedings.

The start of the second half was initially a little brighter for the reserves with quicker and more decisive play applied, with an opening for Luke Perry flashed over the bar.

However, the bad habits returned with poor decisions made with the ball gifting the average hosts the initiative time after time which they gratefully accepted.

A rash challenge was punished on 60 mins, with a whipped in free kick being headed home in the crowded penalty area by the hosts.

Flustered and frustrated the reserves conceded a penalty 9 minutes later and reduced to 10 men with Tom Davies, dismissed from the field of play.

The resultant penalty fortunately struck the left post and was cleared.

Seventeen-year-old Josh Sibanda made an instant impact from the bench going close with his first touch and showing some neat skill and pace as we searched for a repost.

Will Armstrong was deployed into central midfield, resulting in improved ball distribution to the front three.

The penalty was awarded following striker Logan being fouled in the 90th minute.

Five minutes of added time followed as both teams searched for the decisive goal to no avail.

Team: Tom Hyam, Mark Owen, Tom Davies, Will Armstrong, Connor Noble, Ned Ogilvie, Aaron Hawkings, Jordan Sellick, Dylan Groves, Luke Perry, Rohan Poulsom. Replacements: Logan Sellick and Josh Sibanda.

A run of four home games to complete the season starts on Wednesday 5th April. Nick Buttle