EXMOUTH TOWN 2

WELLINGTON 0

WELLINGTON dropped to 19th place in the Premier Division of the Toolstation League following defeat away to Exmouth last Saturday – whereas the home side moved up to fourth on goal difference.

It was Wellington’s seventh loss in 12 matches and a relegation fight looks to be on the cards again.

Wellington boss Tim Legg had been concerned by his side’s lack of goals this season and with good reason.

Wellington rarely looked like scoring in this match while Exmouth could have won far more convincingly.

Legg has seen a run of tough fixtures coincide with a string of injuries to key players, although he has strengthened his squad by re-signing defender Mike Mullen (from Bishops Lydeard) and striker Paolo Borges (Bridport), who both came on as second-half substitutes.

Wellington, without the likes of skipper Glen Wright, Jack Lewis and Jesse Howe, made the worst possible start with Ben Steer putting Exmouth ahead with a shot which went in off the underside of the crossbar after only 13 minutes. Wellington goalkeeper Tom Welch had denied Jordan Harris from scoring only minutes earlier by tipping his effort over the crossbar.

Both sides had ‘goals’ disallowed later in the first half. James Vaughan-Ryall was ruled offside when he had the ball in the back of the Exmouth net in the 32nd minute while Exmouth were denied for a handball offence six minutes later.

Wellington’s Scott Merritt was sin-binned in the 38th minute and Exmouth took advantage of the extra man when Steer made it 2-0 in the 46th minute.

Another smart save by Welch prevented Exmouth going further ahead as Wellington slid to their third successive loss since gaining a surprise point against title favourites Plymouth Parkway last month. Legg might have thought the draw at Plymouth might have been the turning point in the season for his side but clearly that is not the case.

Wellington: Tom Welch, Josh Champion, Jack Porter, Tom Davies, Jason Quick, Miles Quick, Scott Merritt, Tim Legg, Jamie Vaughan-Ryall, Mason Raymond, George Sinnott. Substitutes: Michael Mullen, Paula Borges, Rohan Poulsom (all used).