WELLINGTON bounced back to winning form with a 2-0 victory over Nailsea & Tickenham in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League at the Playing Field.

After a run of defeats, the Tangerines have shown a return to form in their recent matches and their improvement was finally rewarded by three points.

The result moved them up into 13th position in a crowded mid-table pack and saw them pass their points tally for the whole of last season.

On a tricky surface, there was little to choose between the sides early on before Nailsea gradually got on top with new keeper Jack McAndrews pulling off a couple of excellent saves to keep the scoreline blank.

But it was Wellington who made the breakthrough in first half stoppage time. Sam Sheldrake fed Miles Quick outside the area and he took aim before planting a pinpoint drive low past keeper Jakob Glover.

Nailsea, who won 3-0 when the sides met at the start of the season, took the game to Wellington after the break but they found the well-organised home defence hard to penetrate.

On the one occasion they did break through, McAndrews was on hand again with a brave block to deny the onrushing striker.

Wellington stuck to their guns and they wrapped up things with a second goal three minutes from time. Young midfielder Jack Winsor burst into the Nailsea area and his low cross was clinically dispatched by sub James de Selincourt.

It was an excellent team performance but the man-of-the-match award went to midfielder Glen Wright on his return to the starting line-up after a lengthy absence with an ankle injury.

The Tangerines, without a midweek fixture, are home again on Saturday, February 1, when Saltash United, immediately below them in the table, visit the Playing Field with Wellington optimistic of another good result (3p.m.).

Wellington: Jack McAndrews, Jordan Hayman, Tom Stone, Kieran Bailey, Alex Cherry, Glen Wright, Jack Winsor, Sam Sheldrake, Josh Lukins, Miles Quick, Josh Baker. Substitutes: James de Selincourt, Jacob Shore, Jake Quick (used); Sam Towler, Josh Young (not used).

Elsewhere, Clevedon Town held on to top spot in the Premier Division with a 4-1 home win over Torpoint Athletic.

Portishead Town maintained second place with an impressive 4-0 home victory over Paulton Rovers who had been climbing the table in recent weeks.

Shepton Mallet missed a chance of going fourth after they slumped to a 2-1 home loss to AFC St Austell.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Welton Rovers lost 5-0 at home to Ivybridge Town - their 27th defeat in 27 matches - leaving them 17 points behind the next placed side St Blazey who crashed 5-1 away to Buckland Athletic who are fifth.