Wellington Football Club’s 1-0 victory over Cribbs in the Toolstation Premier league match on Saturday 28 October has lifted them above the bottom of the table to 17th place. More importantly, it should have lifted their confidence levels and indicated that, given the same determination and resilience as in this match, the players can not only survive at this level but thrive too.
A draw looked the likely outcome during the first half of the match. The two teams seemed equally matched despite Cribbs lying higher in 8th place in the league.
With both sides mounting strong attacks, Cribbs were first to put the ball in the net on 25 minutes but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
On 40 minutes the Cribbs goalie pulled off a fine save low down to his left and shortly afterwards managed to earn a goal kick from a goalmouth scramble.
An even match was to be transformed in the second half. From the whistle Wellington indicated that whatever had been said during half-time had galvanised them. They showed a marked increase in energy, accuracy and pace and, until the last few minutes of the game, Cribbs were entirely on the defensive.
The Tangerines should have scored more than one if shots had been closer to the target so Jack Bryant’s goal, which came after a throw-in on the left wing, was just reward for a strong team display.
Wellington’s next match is away against Odd Down (Bath) on Saturday 4 November. Odd Down are 9th in the league.
As a result of their fine FA Vase victory last week, the Tangerines have been drawn away at Sholing in the FA Vase. Sholing are in third place play in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier League.