RIVAL clubs have targeted two of Wellington’s top players in the last few days and manager Clive Jones is desperately trying to hold on to them.

Bridport have put in seven days notice of approach for goalscoring midfielder Josh Wadham, who won a championship medal with Street in the Toolstation League last season, while Buckland Athletic have made an approach for Conor Bryant.

“I’ve told both players I don’t want them to leave,” said Jones. “Obviously, I can only wait now and see what happens.”

“You must expect this as a manager. Other sides see your best players and naturally want them to play for them. These things happen at this level.”

Meanwhile, on a more positive note, Jones has signed Ben Newman, a 25-year-old who can play as a holding midfield player or centreback. He is unavailable for this coming weekend but will definitely play for Wellington in the game against Hallen on Saturday week. He is in the RAF and lives in Exmouth.

Wellington play away to Bradford on Saturday and Jones faces more problems with Glenn Wright, Sam Bryant, Scott Townsend and George Painter all unavailable.

Jones added: “I look at it in a different way. It gives another player a chance to show what he can do. He must try to make that shirt his.

“I rated Bradford the best footballing side in the division last season. There are better sides in the league than us but we must make it more difficult for other teams to beat us.”

Wellington Reserves are away to Alphington Reserves in the First Divsion of the Devon and Exeter League this weekend while Wellington A are at home to new boys Staplegrove Crusaders in the third division of the Invest Southwest Taunton Saturday League.

Hemyock have no match this weekend.