WELLINGTON and Bishops Lydeard meet in a football derby on Boxing Day for the first time since the 60s (12.30).

The sides played each other regularly in the Taunton Saturday League before Wellington gained admission to the Somerset Senior League in 1962.

Since then Wellington have played mostly Toolstation League football while Lydeard have come up through the Senior League and joined their opponents after being promoted last summer.

Wellington go into the match top of the first division while Lydeard are in sixth place - a fine achievement in their first season with ex-Wellington player Brett Andrews in charge. Both won on Saturday. Wellington beat Westbury United 3-0 away to stretch their lead at the top of the table while Lydeard gained an impressive 4-0 home win over former leaders Malmesbury Victoria.

“I’m not surprised Lydeard are doing so well,” said Wellington boss Clive Jones yesterday. “Brett was a very competitive player for Wellington. He was also at Willand during my time as manager – he was in charge of the reserves.

“This is a local derby and so it won’t be easy. We are unbeaten at home in the league this season and we want to keep it that way.”

Wellington will have a near full-strength squad which means Tim Legg and Mitch Woodgate will both be available after missing the game at Westbury on Saturday.

“It would be nice to finish off the first half of the season with a victory,” added Jones.

There are no matches in the Devon and Exeter League over the festive season until Saturday, January 7.