AFTER a promising start to the season, Wellington failed to halt their run of defeats when they lost 1-0 away to Bridgwater United in a local derby in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western Football League.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off for former Tangerines player John Price, who died recenty following a long illness and whose son Jamie plays for Bridgwater.

And the popular defender would have been proud of his son’s man-of-the-match performance as he scored the only goal of a scrappy contest.

Despite both sides featuring players taking on their former clubs, it was a lacklustre first half.

Bridgwater, whose management team had resigned in midweek, had the better of the few chances with Price having a “goal” disallowed and Liam Winter failing to finish after being sent clear on goal.

At the other end, Sam Towler had a volley pushed over the bar while Wellington had skipper Kieran Bailey sin binned for ten minutes before the break.

The deadlock was finally broken eight minutes into the second half when a free-kick was played into the visitors’ box and met by Price for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Wellington boss Richard Cherry rang the changes as his side went in pursuit of an equaliser and they showed a significant improvement as the game progressed.

But they were constantly repelled by a well-organised Bridgwater defence with Bailey denied twice in quick succession by keeper Liam Kingston who also got down well to save from sub Lewis Smith.

After a busy run of games, Wellington are without a midweek fixture which will give them time to regroup ahead of their first visit to league newcomers St Austell on Saturday, September 7. It will be Wellington’s 11th away game in succession.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Harry Scott, Jordan Hayman, Kieran Bailey, Jason Quick, Josh Lukins, Sam Sheldrake, Oscar Albano, Sam Towler, Miles Quick, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Sam Gleeson, Lewis Smith, Danny Wordsworth (used); Rob Hall (not used). Attendance: 227.

Elsewhere, Portishead Town maintained their unbeaten record in the Premier Division with a 3-1 away victory over St Austell. It enabled them to stay one-point clear of Clevedon Town and Street, who also have yet to lose and have a game in hand on the leaders.

Wellington's loss to Bridgwater means they slipped to 15th in the table - their final position in the league last season.

At the other end of the table Welton Rovers, who began the season with a new management team in place, are still without a point after losing 3-1 away to St Blazey in their latest match. They finished second from bottom last season but were not relegated.