PICTURE: Wellington beat Belmont Wanderers 5-1 in the Herefordshire FA Veterans League. Picture: Stuart Townsend/Barcud-Coch Photography

 

Wellington close in on Veterans League crown after beating Belmont

 

WELLINGTON moved within touching distance of being crowned HES Plumbing and Electrical Herefordshire FA Veterans League champions following a 5-1 victory over Belmont Wanderers at the SSAFA County Ground. 

The league leaders broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Kenny Styles picked the ball up in space 25 yards from goal and sent his driven shot home.

Styles doubled his tally in the 34th minute with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area and then picked out Wayne McNeil on the stroke of half-time to add a third goal for Wellington.

Belmont Wanderers provided themselves with the faint hope of a comeback as they reduced the deficit two minutes after the interval when they caught their opponents on the break to beat goalkeeper Steve Bell.

However, that was as good as it got for the Hereford club, as their opponents added to further goals in the closing stages.

Styles drove into the Wanderers' penalty area in the 69th minute and saw his ensuing shot blocked, but Mike Olive was on hand to turn the rebound into the net.

The scoring was completed with eight minutes remaining when Ben Chambers cut in from out on the left flank and curled a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Wellington know that a single point from Friday's final match against Holme Lacy will secure the title.

Radnor Valley claimed a dramatic stoppage time goal courtesy of Matt Croose to draw 2-2 with hosts Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday night in their opening Lock Stock Ardal North East fixture on The Broadway.

It was the Goats who opened the scoring through Croose in the 11th minute when he prodded the ball past goalkeeper James Barker following good work from Joey Price.

The Spa Men levelled the scores 17 minutes later when Darryl Nicholls headed home past stand-in custodian Liam Jones from a cross into the danger area delivered by brother Shaun.

Llandrindod Wells went ahead 20 minutes after the interval when Reuben Edwards fired home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area after being picked out in space by Sammy De Groot.

Just when it appeared that the hosts would claim the Radnorshire derby bagging rights, Radnor Valley defender Croose completed his brace.

A free-kick into the home penalty area was only partially cleared and the loose ball was fired into the net past Barker and spark celebrations amongst the Goats' players and supporters.

The New Radnor club would go on to secure their first competitive success of the season following a 3-1 win at Dyffryn Banw in the Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday afternoon.