WELLINGTON gave a much-improved display despite suffering a 3-1 home defeat against Buckland Athletic in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League on Wednesday night.

The Tangerines had been thumped 10-1 at Buckland last month and lost 8-0 to Bovey Tracey on Saturday.

But they could hold their heads high after a battling performance – and a goalless second half was something of a moral victory.

Wellington started well with Danny Wordsworth creating an opening after nine minutes before failing to find the target. Buckland then opened the scoring after 13 minutes as Josh McKayle ran on to a through ball down the middle to net. McKayle scored his second six minutes later after keeper Luke Vernon had saved well.

And, when Jack Baxter stroked home a pull-back after 36 minutes to make it 3-0, the writing looked on the wall for Wellington.

But they pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Skipper Josh Baker was sent crashing to the ground outside the box by keeper Mike Searle who was booked for the foul. Max Edgecombe floated in the resulting free-kick and Baker – Wellington’s only remaining senior player from last season – scored with a flicked header.

He almost scored again seven minutes into the second half but this time his header went wide.

Wellington defended valiantly to prevent any further goals as the sides cancelled each other out after the break.

It’s not often a side is applauded off the pitch after a defeat but the players and management thoroughly deserved it.

Wellington play their third home game in eight days on Saturday against when Liskeard Athletic (3p.m.).

Wellington: Luke Vernon, Jordan Ford, Tom Hawkings, Mike Murphy, Ben Evett, Sam Poole, Max Edgecombe, Lewis Oaten, Jack Lewis, Danny Wordsworth, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Aiden Trott, Vinnie Wight-Harper Inniss, Spencer Thomson, Daniel Conway, Connor Noble (all used). Attendance: 82.