BISHOPS LYDEARD RESERVES 3

WELLINGTON RESERVES 3

WELLINGTON’S customary Friday night pre-season friendly at Lydeard provided a six-goal thriller.

In a game played over three 30-minute sections, Wellington came out on top in the first period. A fast-paced end-to-end encounter saw university-bound Robbie Broomhead give Wellington the lead from a direct free kick on 15 minutes, bending his right-footed shot around the wall past a helpless keeper.

Two minutes later Wellington were celebrating their second ‘goal’ – or so they thought. Broomhead found Brad Holman’s run, his first touch was sweet, his touch even better as he rolled it past the oncoming keeper and into the far corner. As the players celebrated, the referee allowed play to continue. Holman’s shot had hit the wheel of the mobile goal – a good yard behind the goal-line and returned the ball back into play. The referee believed it had hit the post to Holman’s utter disbelief. Luke Vernon kept Wellington’s lead intact with a superb reflex save late on.

The second period saw Wellington make five changes. In a slightly more frantically paced period Wellington soon extended their lead. Ash Saunders latched on to Clay Westcott’s edge-of-the-box pass, took a neat first touch before guiding his shot into the bottom corner. This time the ball missed the wheel and nestled in the net! Two minutes later, Jake Nichol delivered an excellent left foot free-kick which ended with a Lydeard defender looping a header over the keeper for 3-0.

However, Lydeard hit back immediately, a 20-yard low drive catching Vernon out for pace. Lydeard were truly back in the game five minutes later, converting from an in-swinging corner at the near post.

Both teams continued to create chances but the second period finished with Wellington holding a 3-2 lead.

More changes ensued for the final period which saw Lydeard level the game with a fine run and finish from ex-Wellington player Reagan Scotcher. The game saw both teams go for the win but poor light eventually brought it to an end on 83 minutes.

Sean Buttle