WELLINGTON Reserves made a winning start to the season at the Playing Field when they beat leaders Winkleigh 1-0 in the Premier Division of the Devon & Exeter Football League.

Manager Mark Owen had a full squad to select from and wanted to bounce back from the disappointing away defeat the previous weekend.

After a goalless first half Owen made a half-time change, bringing Luke Perry on for Sam Poole and pushing Ollie Nott back into the middle of the park.

Again, Wellington took the game to Winkleigh and created all the chances but with excellent defending and poor finishing they could not make the breakthrough.

Winkleigh relied on breaks with both wingers causing some issues but the Wellington defence was well led by keeper Charlie Hawkings and centre halves Sam Bryant and Tom Davies.

With 15 minutes to go, a good move up the left wing led to the ball being fed into Jack Bryant. He controlled it well with his chest, turned the defender and hit an unstoppable shot past the keeper.

Owen made a number of changes to keep the energy going in warm conditions and the side played well to keep Winkleigh at bay.

Man-of-the-match Jack Bryant received the award from match sponsors Reg and Jenny Oxby.