WELLINGTON’S young side crashed to a 10-0 defeat away to newly-promoted Wells City in the Premier Division of the Jewson League. Still without a manager and having lost virtually all of last season’s players, their inexperienced squad gave their all but were well beaten by a rampant home side.

The Tangerines, who had cancelled their previous two matches, have appointed an interim management team of Georgia Purdy, Joe Conway and Mike Hawes, supported by skipper Josh Baker.

And, with a number of players unavailable, their starting 11 included two new defenders, James Rowe – returning to the club – and Luca Symons-Chan.

Wells made a blistering start with two goals inside the first five minutes. Jake Brown headed in from a corner before Sam Towler doubled the lead, also with a header, against his former club.

Wellington’s teenage keeper Harry Lawrence then made a fine save from a Towler free-kick, but Wells continued to dominate and Jacob Reader made it 3-0 from the penalty spot on the half-hour.

The visitors suffered a blow shortly afterwards when defender Connor Noble was forced off because of illness. He was replaced by 18-year-old Alfie Doidge who made an encouraging debut.

Reader added his second in the 36th minute before Wellington thought they had pulled one back when Dan Conway, raced clear and lobbed the keeper only to be ruled offside. Reader completed his hat-trick within a minute of the second half and added a fourth shortly afterwards.

Brown scored again before James Tait struck a treble of his own – all from close range – to take Wells into double figures.

Late on Baker fired into the side-netting as Wellington pressed for a consolation goal.

Wellington: Harry Lawrence, Connor Noble, Jordan Ford, James Rowe, Luca Symons-Chan, Harvey Conroy, Luca Staniforth, Gabriel Plant, Sam Sharif, Dan Conway, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Alfie Doidge, Reegan Scotcher, Danny Wordsworth (all used).