Wellington 3, Biddestone 2 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wellington 3, Biddestone 2

2:31pm Monday 12th December 2005 in Football

BIDDESTONE boss Graham Learmonth admitted his side's slow start ultimately cost them a point at Wellington on Saturday.

As one of only four games played in the Toolstation League due to waterlogged pitches, Learmonth could be forgiven for wishing his game had been a washout too.

Wellington scored twice in the first 15 minutes thanks to two defensive lapses. Firstly Biddestone failed to clear when the ball hit the crossbar from a free header off a corner.

Instead they played the ball straight to Shane Gage, who then finished easily.

Then young goalkeeper Chris Snoddy's goal kick fell straight to an attacker who played the ball to Alexis Piper to double the lead with just 15 minutes played.

Biddestone came back but failed to score through Joe O'Chuko, who saw his shot saved, and Kris Beasley, who should have done better in a one-on-one situation, placing the ball over.

However, it was the visitors who found themselves further behind early in the second-half, as Wellington counter-attacked.

The home side won the ball deep into their half and with three quick sharp passes tore through the heart of Biddestone, Simon Elsley finishing the move.

Having to gamble Learmonth brought on John O'Meara and Paul Ranger.

With five minutes left his tactical switch worked as O'Meara flicked on for Luke Gullick to finish.

Then Gullick added a second through a penalty after Rob Pocock was fouled, creating a nervy last couple of minutes for Wellington.

In the last two minutes both O'Meara and Kris Beasley had chances to score but missed the target.

Learmonth said he could have no complaints with the result.

He said: "Possibly we could have snatched a draw, definitely if we had played another five minutes, but it would have been harsh on them.

"Our side was asleep in the first 20 minutes and that's when they did their damage. They could have scored more. Individual errors cost us the two goals and we just weren't with it."

Learmonth had more bad news after finding out he will be without Joe O'Chuko, O'Meara and Eddie Drury for Saturday's visit to high-flying Chard.

However, better news came in their bye through to the quarter-finals of the Les Phillips Cup after Torrington were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player against Exmouth Town in the first round.

Learmonth said: "I would have rather have played Torrington at home and beaten them but I suppose we can fit in another league game.

"At the end of the day we will take anything we can get."