WELLINGTON put up a battling performance before losing 2-1 at home to Barnstaple Town in the semi-finals of the Jewson Western League’s Les Phillips Cup at the Carly Press Ground.

The Tangerines were playing in their first Les Phillips semi-final against a side currently sitting in the play-off places in the Jewson League’s premier division.

Before the club’s biggest crowd of the season, they rose to the occasion and pushed Barnstaple all the way but it was the visitors who earned the right to take on Bradford Town in the final.

Barnstaple looked lively from the kick-off and threatened inside the opening ten minutes as Joshua Parry’s header was blocked by the chest of keeper Andy Collings.

The visitors then made the breakthrough on 15 minutes. A chip across the box found Luke Mortimore, who brought the ball under control, created a yard of space and fired home.

Wellington responded positively and carved out their first opening on 23 minutes when Josh Baker drove an effort across goal. At the other end, a dangerous Barnstaple free-kick on 32 minutes was volleyed over as a closely-fought game ebbed and flowed.

The equaliser arrived on 35 minutes and it was worth the wait. A long throw was flicked on by Tom Stone into the path of Baker, who produced a superb overhead kick which gave the keeper no chance and sent the home crowd into raptures.

With their tails up, Wellington nearly went in front just before the break as Sam Towler volleyed just wide, leaving the sides level at half-time.

The Tangerines began the second half brightly. Within three minutes of the restart, Ryan Brereton went close with a volley from a Towler corner as they looked to seize the initiative.

However, it was Barnstaple who struck the decisive blow after 67 minutes. The ball dropped invitingly for Tommy Rogers and the defender unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard drive across Collings and inside the far post to make it 2-1.

Wellington threw men forward in a bid to force penalties, but they could find no way through a well-organised Barnstaple defence.

While there was disappointment at the final whistle, the Tangerines were applauded off the pitch after a cracking cup tie played in a great atmosphere.

Wellington: Andy Collings, Jordan Hayman, Tom Stone, Mark Cornish, Nathan Byrne, Josh Lukins, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Oscar Albano, Ryan Brereton, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Charlie Shearer, Alfie Slough, Jack Alcock, Daniel Conway (used); Rob Hall (not used).

In the other tie Bradford Town clinched their place in the final when they beat Ivybridge Town 5-1 at home, after leading 2-1 at the interval before scoring three times in the second half.

Meanwhile, Wellington Reserves gained a fine win when they beat second-placed Winkleigh 3-2 away in the Premier Division of the Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League.

The game was played in very wet conditions and Wellington found themselves 1-0 down before fighting back to gain a splendid victory with goals by Jack Bryant, Connor Noble and James Beattie.

Victory enabled Wellington to move up to fourth in the table, while Winkleigh remain second after losing only their third game of the season.

Upottery have a two-point lead over Winkleigh at the top of the table.

Wellington’s Player of the Match was Connor Noble.