AFTER taking a shock second-minute lead, Wellington’s inexperienced side succumbed to a heavy 9-1 home defeat against leaders Bridgwater United in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League

Wellington had to play most of the second half with ten men and conceded four goals in the closing stages.

Wellington made a dream start when U18s’ captain Elijah Hiller – making his senior debut – curled a superb effort into the far corner to put the hosts ahead.

However, Bridgwater levelled in the eighth minute when the ball fell kindly to striker Shea Mannings, who made no mistake.

The visitors then turned the game around with two goals in two minutes. Some excellent quick passing led to former Wellington player Douglas Camilo firing a low shot past keeper Luke Vernon in the 19th minute, before Hayden Chambers made it 3-1.

Vernon then produced an excellent save early in the second half to deny Bridgwater a fourth, but Wellington’s task became even harder in the 51st minute when Max Edgecombe was harshly shown a second yellow card,

Bridgwater took advantage and extended their lead six minutes later when Tom Llewellyn’s shot took a deflection and found its way into the net.

Wellington were appealing for a penalty in the 75th minute when Bridgwater broke upfield and were awarded a spot-kick themselves, with substitute Will Collins converting to make it 5-1.

Chambers then slid home his second five minutes from time before Mannings headed in from a corner to make it seven.

Collins scored twice more before the final whistle. His second came in the 91st minute and he completed his hat-trick with a long-range effort two minutes later.

Wellington: Luke Vernon, Jordan Ford, Luke Perry, Michael Murphy, Lewis Oaten, Vincent Wight-Harper Inniss, Gabriel Plant, Max Edgecombe, Daniel Conway, Elijah Hiller, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Luca Staniforth, Sam Sharif, Luca Symons-Chan, Isaac Baker. Attendance: 160.