MISSING a number of players, Wellington went down to a 6-0 defeat away to Saltash United in the Premier Division of the Jewson League.

They conceded four goals in the first half and two more after the break before tightening up to stem the flow of goals.

Saltash took the lead in the eighth minute when the ball was pulled back for Kieran O’Melia to hammer home.

Wellington responded by winning a corner four minutes later, but Elijah Hiller’s effort was blocked by a defender.

The hosts doubled their lead after 26 minutes when Deacon Thomson turned in a low cross.

Wellington came close to pulling one back two minutes later when Jack Lewis’s corner bounced off the crossbar and was cleared.

Another cross undid the Tangerines in the 34th minute, this time from the left, with Dylan Holgate providing the finish.

Wellington goalkeeper Luke Vernon made a fine reaction save as half-time approached, but Saltash skipper Alfie Wotton ran through the Wellington defence and rounded the keeper to make it 4–0 in stoppage time.

Hiller was forced out of the action by injury at half-time and was replaced by another youngster Freddie Jarman.

Saltash struck twice in quick succession after the restart as Finley Wikes drove home when the ball dropped to him in the 49th minute.

Two minutes later, a well-worked move ended with O’Melia firing into the top corner for his second and Saltash’s sixth.

Wellington held firm from then on and threatened occasionally, even after Lewis was sent off in the 75th minute for a second booking.

The Tangerines now travel to Street, with the fixture brought forward to Friday night (Nov 20).

Wellington: Luke Vernon, Luke Perry, Connor Pengelly, Harry Chetland, Mike Murphy, Lewis Oaten, Gabriel Plant, Jack Lewis, Ollie Ackland, Elijah Hiller, Danny Wordsworth. Substitutes: Linkoln Nash, Freddie Jarman (used), Dan Conway (unused).