WELLINGTON’S football manager Clive Jones is trying to strengthen his side before Saturday’s first home game of the season - against Shepton Mallet in the Premier Division of the Toolstation League.

It follows Wellington latest defeat - a 3-1 loss to Saltash United in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase at Cullompton over the weekend.

Jones admitted he had approached three players last week in a bid to sign at least one of the them but had been unsuccessful.

"I’ve been in football a long time and I’ve never worked so hard in trying to persuade players to come to Wellington.

"But I won’t give up. Our workrate and effort is second to none but we’re simply nor playing any football.

"You can run as much as you like but you cannot do it over the entire 90 minutes.

Jones has also revealed that both Charlie Bridges and Connor Pengelly want to play for other sides because they are not getting regular football.

Pengelly, 18,  has signed for Kentisbeare but will make himself available to Wellington when he can, while Bridges is looking for another club.

"I don’t blame them for asking to leave," added Jones. "All they want to do is play football and I understand their reasons."

Meanwhile Jones has appealed for supporters to come and watch the match on Saturday which kicks off at 3 p.m. "I want them to get behind the players," he said. "It makes a great deal of difference if we get a good crowd. The players would appreciate it.

"I would like to think we could put our results so far behind us and start again on Saturday. It’s been difficult playing all our games away but I’m not making that an excuse for our poor start."