Wellington Reserves 1, Clyst Valley 2

Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League premier division

WELLINGTON Reserves hosted leaders Clyst Valley before an excellent Playing Field crowd, hoping to bounce back from the previous week’s defeat at Exeter Uni.

Clyst Valley had suffered only one defeat so far, which was to Wellington on the opening day of the season.

The Reserves started the game well and had all the possession in the early stages.

They felt they should have been awarded a penalty after 15 minutes when Jack Bryant raced into the box and clipped the ball over the keeper who clattered into him and brought him down.

To everyone’s amazement, the ref gave Clyst a goal kick and, after some treatment, Jack was able to carry on.

It was all one-way now as Wellington dominated the game but could not create many clear chances on goal.

However, on 35 minutes, they did have a penalty claim awarded as the ball bounced around in box and the ref judged that it hit a Clyst player’s arm – a decision which seemed slightly harsh.

Up stepped Sam Towler to dispatch the penalty to the keeper’s left and make it 1-0 to the hosts.

With the game approaching half-time and Wellington still dominating all the possession, a long ball upfield was held up before being played off with a low shot driven in from 20 yards.

Keeper Charlie Hawkings could only get his hand to it and the ball crept into the bottom corner.

It was a real blow for Wellington, who had dominated the entire first half, as it was Clyst’s only shot on goal.

With the second half only ten minutes old, manager Mark Owen was forced into his first change, bringing off the unwell Ollie Nott with Alfie Barrett coming on in his place.

The game was starting to get scrappy but, on the hour mark, the visitors went ahead.

The ball was played into the box and Wellington had numerous chances to clear.

As it bounced about, a Clyst player smashed it into the top corner from close range to give them the lead.

All Clyst had to do was hold out and they defended really well as a team with Wellington creating no real chances.

Thanks to the match sponsor Scott Andrews Decorating Services.

Team: Charlie Hawkings, Connor Noble, Scott Merritt, Sam Bryant, Tom Davies, Aaron Hawkings, Sam Towler, Ollie Nott, Ben Evett, Wes Poulsom, Jack Bryant. Substitutes: Dylan Groves, Ned Ogilvie, James Beatty, Lenny Old, Alfie Barrett (all used).

The Reserves have no game on Saturday – next up they travel to play Brislington Reserves in the Somerset Senior Cup on November 2nd.