WELLINGTON ensured themselves of another season in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League after gaining a 4-1 home win over Welton Rovers.

Victory over bottom club Welton Rovers means they cannot be caught by second-from-bottom Ilfracombe Town.

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes after a car containing several Welton players broke down and, when it did get under way, the visitors had the bare 11 players with no subs.

It was, therefore, little surprise that Wellington dominated proceedings. Perhaps the only surprise was that the margin of victory was not bigger as the Tangerines peppered the visitors’ goal with shots and also missed a penalty.

Wellington went on the attack straight from the kick-off and took the lead after 17 minutes when a corner by skipper Sam Towler was headed home by Nathan Byrne.

Wellington had a chance to make it 2-0 six minutes after the break when Byrne was sent tumbling but Towler missed from the spot for the second game running – this time firing against the bar.

Wellington were not to be denied and doubled their tally just after the hour mark thanks to the persistence of striker Phil Mendonca who wriggled into space before poking a low shot just inside the far post.

However, Welton shocked the home side by making it 2-1 as Kamal Yassin intercepted a back pass and hit the post before thumping home the rebound.

But any hopes of a dramatic turnaround were foiled as Wellington added a third goal with eight minutes remaining. Substitute Charlie Wood, a new signing from Buckland Athletic, found young defender Jacob Shore in the box and he brought the ball under control before shooting home his first goal for the club.

The game was preceded by a minute’s applause to remember supporter and former player George Govier, whose funeral had taken place the previous day.