Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Wellington AFC 3, Hallen 0
WELLINGTON picked up their first win since November 17 on Saturday, putting three goals past mid-table rivals Hallen at North Street.
Their opener came on 14 minutes, Jack Bryant scoring from the penalty spot after Glen Wright was fouled in the box.
Home goalkeeper Josh Mclean did well to keep out a header, and on 28 minutes it was 2-0, as Conor Bryant played a through ball for Joe Chamberlain to run onto and finish.
The lead remained at two at half time, though Caelen Simpson should really have halved it, missing the target when well positioned.
Another let-off for the Tangerines followed, Hallen's Daryl Charman putting a good chance over the top, before keeper Aaron Avery made two fine saves to deny Josh Wadham.
The game continued in end-to-end fashion, a corner being headed off the crossbar for the visitors, Avery saving from substitute Paolo Borges and Conor Bryant's speculative shot clipping the bar.
It was game, set and match when Wellington scored a third with three minutes left, Borges' effort being fumbled into his own net by the unfortunate Avery.
Wellington: Josh Mclean, George Rogers (Scott Townsend), Jack Bown-Porter, Tim Legg, Scott Drayton, Glen Wright (c), Jack Bryant, Mitch Woodgate (Tom Hawkings), Conor Bryant, Josh Wadham, Joe Chamberlain (Paolo Borges). Subs not used: Sam Jones, Sam Bryant.
This coming Saturday, the Tangerines – 13th in the table – go to 10th-placed Buckland Athletic (ko 3pm).
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Toolstation Western League
First Division
Bishops Lydeard 2, Oldland Abbotonians 3
THESE two teams were equal on 21 points at the start of the game, but the visitors struck first, taking a third-minute lead when Josh Williams flicked the ball into the corner of the net.
Just four minutes later, however, Jake Quick was tripped in the penalty area and Luke Bryant scored the equaliser from the penalty spot.
Lydeard created a lot of chances and dominated the game, but it was not until the 42nd minute that Quick broke away down the left and passed to Sam Mockridge, who sent Ryan Brereton through to fire the hosts into the lead.
The second half belonged to Oldland, as they put the home defence under continued pressure.
The visitors equalised with Williams again the scorer in the 74th minute, when his long-distance effort crept over the line.
The Abbots won the match with a Jamie Simmons header from a superb corner in the 81st minute.
Two minutes later Oldland were reduced to 10 men as they had a player sent off for violent conduct, but the home side could not find an equaliser.
Bishops Lydeard: Dave Barrell, Callum Flaherty (Harry Millar), Jason Quick, Mark Cornish, Luke Bryant, Sam Mockridge (Charlie Bridges), Andy Butler, Mark Clunie, Ryan Brereton, Jake Quick, Luke Desave (Zac Ryder).
Lydeard sit 15th in the table, eight points clear of the bottom two, and this Saturday they host 17th-placed Radstock Town (ko 3pm).
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THE Uhlsport Somerset County League matches on Saturday brought a damaging defeat for Watchet Town, 3-2 at home to Worle.
Elliott Nelson (2) and Chris Taylor got the goals for the visitors, with Tom Sparks scoring both for Watchet, who are seven points off the Premier Division summit with three games in hand.
Staplegrove also lost 3-2 at home, to Burnham United, leaving them in all kinds of trouble at the wrong end of the Division 1 table.
Russell Holley (2) and Curtis Bradshaw won the day for third-bottom Burnham, who are now just a point behind Grove.
But there was better news for Minehead AFC, who beat Division 1 leaders Bridgwater Town Reserves to put themselves at the heart of the title race.
Guy Burns and Harry Scratchard hit the target for the Blues – they are now eight points off the top with three games in hand.
This Saturday, Minehead travel to Winscombe (ko 2pm), Staplegrove are at Keynsham Town Reserves (3pm), and Watchet go to Nailsea United (2pm).
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