Jewson Western League premier division: Buckland Athletic 10, Wellington 1
Wellington AFC are still looking for their first point of the season after a crushing defeat at Buckland Athletic last night (Wednesday).
After losing virtually all of last season’s squad to other clubs, their mix of new signings and players stepping up from the Reserves were no match for a rampant Buckland side.
Ironically, the Tangerines created the first opening as Harvey Conroy raced clear and his shot cannoned off the legs of experienced keeper Mike Searle.
But, almost immediately, Buckland went ahead with the first of two own goals and then scored two more inside the first 15 minutes to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.
To their credit, Wellington refused to lie down and they finished the first half brightly to keep the score at 3-0.
However, shortly after the restart, they conceded another own goal and then a fifth inside the hour mark.
With chairman Mike Hall again in charge of the side, Wellington kept going and Conroy had a couple of decent efforts on goal before they reduced the arrears after 69 minutes.
Some clever play by Reegan Scotcher saw him pull the ball back to Ned Ogilvie who gave Searle no chance with a superb first-time effort.
But that was as good as it got for the visitors and, as they tired, Buckland got stronger, making it 6-1 after 77 minutes and then scoring four more before the final whistle, the last two in added time.
The Tangerines have another tough test on Saturday when they make the short trip to Willand Rovers in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.
Wellington: Harry Lawrence, Connor Noble, Connor Pengelly, Nat Hawkins, Vincent Wright-Harper Innis, Harvey Conroy, Reegan Scotcher, Ned Ogilvie, Ollie Ackland, Dan Conway, Ben Evett. Substitutes: Gabriel Plant, Luke Perry, Harry Chetland, Evan Howse, Danny Wordsworth (all used). Attendance: 265.
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