Toolstation Premier Division: Buckland Athletic 1-1 Wellington

WELLINGTON gave one of their best displays of the season so far as they extended their unbeaten run with a richly deserved point away to fifth-placed Buckland Athletic  on Saturday, December 3rd.

Richard Cherry’s side could even have come away with all three points as they hit the woodwork twice against their highly rated opponents.

The game only went ahead after a huge morning effort by Buckland volunteers who cleared ice off the pitch covering before spiking the surface.

The Tangerines got off to a lively start and should have gone ahead just before the half-hour mark when striker Josh Baker sent Lewis Jennings clear, with only keeper Tyler Coombes to beat, but he missed the target.

Instead of taking the lead, three minute later they were a goal behind as a cross from the right was knocked back for Cieran Bridger to shoot first time past keeper Shay Allen.

Buckland nearly doubled their advantage when former Taunton Town striker Jaren Lewington pounced on a bad back pass but Allen did well to force him wide.

As an entertaining first half approached its conclusion, Wellington nearly equalised shortly afterwards.

A header from defender Mark Cornish hit the bar with the visitors claiming in vain that Coombes had touched the ball on to the woodwork.

However, they were not to be denied and drew level nine minutes into the second half. The lively Baker headed the ball on to Jennings, who made amends for his earlier miss by taking a touch before shooting home for a clinical finish.

The visitors were then denied by the woodwork again after 67 minutes – this time Ryan Brereton’s well struck free kick from 35 yards smacked against the inside of the post and came back into play.

Buckland went in search of the winner in the closing stages but were thwarted by a well organised defence, and it was Wellington sub Tom Burt who nearly snatched victory as he forced a smart save out of Coombes in stoppage time.

The result sets the Tangerines up nicely for their home game next Saturday when Barnstaple Town visit the Playing Field.

Wellington: Shay Allen, Mark Cornish, Tom Stone, Miles Quick, Alex Cherry, Lewis Jennings, Josh Lukins, Glen Wright, Kieran Ireland, Ryan Brereton, Josh Baker. Substitutes: Tom Burt, Gabriel Plant, Josh Young (used); Ryan Hibbert, Rhys Williams (not used).