INJURY-HIT Wellington bounced back from their 4-0 home defeat by Brixham AFC in midweek to beat Paulton Rovers 2-1 at home in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League.

Manager Richard Cherry was without virtually a full team, either injured or unavailable, but his much-changed line-up did him proud.

His squad included last year’s Reserves leading scorer Rohan Poulsom, who has been playing rugby for Wellington Chiefs this season, as well as Reserves’ players Connor Noble and Wes Poulsom, Rohan’s brother.

There was also an impressive debut by new signing Sam Pashen, who is returning from a serious injury after playing for various Bristol clubs.

Despite the changes, Rohan Poulsom almost gave the Tangerines the lead after 13 minutes when his shot from a Phil Mendonca cross was deflected up and on to the bar.

But he was not to be denied and, after home keeper Jake Viney had pulled off a smart save, Poulsom gave Wellington the lead on the stroke of half-time.

The striker produced a sublime finish, taking a touch past a defender and racing clear to drive home.

Paulton, relegated from the Southern League last season, were not helped by having two players sin binned either side of half-time and Wellington defended magnificently to keep them at bay.

The hosts gave themselves some breathing space by increasing their lead after 67 minutes, Jason Quick scoring with a glorious header from a Sam Towler free kick into the box.

That was the signal for Paulton to throw everything at Wellington, but the home side held firm with the electrifying pace of man-of-the-match Mendonca always causing the visitors problems on the break.

The home defence was eventually breached by a Will Hailston goal to make it 2-1 in injury time, but it proved to be only a consolation.

The result gave Wellington revenge for their 4-2 defeat at Paulton in August and enabled them to move up to 15th in the table, with five wins from their opening 15 matches.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Sam Gleeson, Mark Cornish, Jason Quick, Connor Noble, Sam Towler, Sam Pashen, Nathan Byrne, Jake Quick, Rohan Poulsom, Phil Mendonca. Substitutes: Wes Poulsom (used); Josh Lukins and Rob Hall (not used).

Elsewhere, Clevedon Town beat Old Abbotonians 1-0 away to stay two points clear at the top of the table with only one loss in 13 matches.

Brixham, in second spot, continued their fine start to the season with a 2-0 success away to Shepton Mallet while Portishead Town, in third place, were 3-2 winners at home to Bridgwater United who have slipped down to 11th in the table.

Bottom side Welton Rovers slumped to their 14th defeat in 14 matches - losing 8-0 away to Torpoint Athletic.