WELLINGTON recorded their first pre-season football victory with a 1-0 win over Middlezoy Rovers in sweltering conditions on the all-weather pitch at Court Fields School.

With a number of players away on holiday, the Tangerines’ line-up featured several changes from the squad beaten 2-0 by Southern League newcomers Brixham the previous week.

Middlezoy, who play in the South West Peninsula League, created the first clearcut opening only for the shot to go just wide of the target.

The deadlock was broken by Wellington after 20 minutes with what proved to be the game’s decisive moment. Nathan Byrne got behind the Middlezoy defence on the left and his low cross was clinically dispatched by Eddie Townsend, who has come up through the club’s youth ranks.

The visitors took the game to Wellington after the break and keeper Jack McAndrews was forced into a couple of smart stops while, at the other end, Byrne was denied at close range.

Middlezoy felt they should have had a penalty in the closing minutes but their appeals were waved away by the referee who blew the final whistle shortly afterwards.

The new Jewson Western League season starts on Saturday, July 26th when the Tangerines make what will be their longest journey of the campaign, into Cornwall to take on Helston Athletic.

Because their ground is required by the local cricket club, Wellington play another six away games before they finally play their first home match - against Helston Athletic on Saturday, September 6 (3p.m.).

It is a problem Wellington face at the start of every season - and it will not be solved unless they move to a new ground - a plan which was axed some time ago because of the cost involved.

Wellington’s first derby game of the season is away to Bridgwater United on Tuesday, August 26.