CADBURY HEATH 7

WELLINGTON 3

HAVING been edged out of the FA Cup by Bodmin in midweek, Wellington would have expected a better outcome to their first game of the season in the Premier Division of the Toolstation League last Saturday.

Wellington’s player-manager Tim Legg did not make any excuses afterwards. “We were poor – that’s the truth,” he said. “The only other thing I can say is that we were missing too many key players through injury and unavailable.”

Wellington were always struggling and never seriously looked like winning with only two late goals helping the scoreline look more respectable.

Cadbury Heath and Wellington both struggled last winter and finished in the bottom five when last season was brought to an abrupt end in March.

Perhaps it was over confidence but Wellington’s new-look outfit began sloppily and Jake Thomas pounced on a mistake to put Heath ahead in the 17th minute.

Worse was to follow as Ben Brooks (26 minutes) and Jake Thomas (38) put Heath further ahead before Jessie Howe pulled a goal back for Wellington from the penalty spot just before half-time after he had been felled.

It provided Wellington with a glimmer of hope but Brooks added his second of the game to make it 4-1 in the 52nd minute. He completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute and Luke Bryan (58 and 65) piled on the agony for the home side.

While the game was already lost, Wellington finished strongly with substitute Jamie Vaughan (80) and Jason Quick (85) both netting consolation goals, but Heath had the final say with an 88th minute headed goal by Lewis Ward. This was not the start Wellington wanted.

Wellington: Tom Welch, Josh Champion, Tim Legg, Tom Davies, Jason Quick, Ollie Holman, Mason Raymond, Harry Walford, Miles Quick, Jack Lewis, Jesse Howe. Substitutes: Cameron Sanford and Jamie Vaughan-Ryall (both used). Attendance: 79.