Toolstation Western League: Wellington 1-5 Nailsea & Tickenham

Wellington’s recent improved form deserted them as they went down to a heavy home defeat at the Playing Field yesterday (Saturday).

Richard Cherry’s side started well enough and led early on, but they were never able to recover from leaking four goals either side of half-time.

Cherry was without several players through injury and illness but was able to call on striker Josh Baker and Nathan Byrne, both dual registered with Willand Rovers whose game was postponed.

Both sides struck the woodwork in the opening five minutes with Nailsea striker Lucas Vowles seeing a shot come back off the inside of the post before Baker sent an overhead kick against the top of the bar at the other end.

It was the Tangerines who made the breakthrough after 11 minutes as another overhead kick by Baker was blocked, coming out to Sam Towler and his carefully placed shot gave the keeper no chance.

The hosts were now in their stride with midfielder Jamie Nicholson – in his final game before returning to his studies in Canada – going close on two occasions.

But they were stunned as Nailsea produced two goals in three minutes shortly after the half-hour mark.

Vowles rose to head home after 32 minutes – despite a desperate effort from keeper Shay Allen with the referee’s assistant ruling the ball had crossed the line – and then Oliver Carter scrambled home a second shortly afterwards.

Things went from bad to worse for Wellington as the second half got under way with Nailsea continuing a remarkable turnaround with two more quick goals, both from Luke Osgood.

Two minutes after the restart, he produced a fine individual effort, flicking the ball around a defender before shooting low past Allen, and shortly afterwards he converted a low cross at the far post.

Nailsea then extended their lead on the hour mark as Vowles curled in a low shot for his second of the game.

The Tangerines huffed and puffed to get back into the game, with Cherry using all five subs, but they were unable to make any inroads into the deficit.

Man-of-the-match Towler went closest with a blistering volley which was well saved.

Wellington are without a game next weekend which will give them a chance to regroup ahead of the important visit of Oldland Abbotonians, one place below them in the table, on January 20th.

Wellington: Shay Allen, Lewis Jennings, Tom Stone, Miles Quick, Jack Bown-Porter, Sully McKenna, Glen Wright, Sam Towler, Jamie Nicholson, Nathan Byrne, Josh Baker. Substititues: Jordan Hayman, Ryan Brereton, Tom Burt, Josh Young, Gabriel Plant (all used).