Jewson Western League Premier: Street 2-2 Wellington AFC

A 97th-minute equaliser by striker Jake Quick ended Wellington’s barren run as they earned up a deserved draw away to fifth-placed Street yesterday (Saturday, January 4).

The Tangerines had lost their previous six matches – all at home – and it looked like more of the same as they went 2-0 down inside 15 minutes.

But they rallied after the break before a dramatic stoppage time saw Jake Viney save a penalty before they went up the other end to level things up.

Manager Richard Cherry was without three players through suspension and so there was a debut for new midfielder Jack Winsor, signed on a dual registration with Bideford of the Southern League.

Skipper Kieran Bailey was also back in defence while the subs included midfielder Glen Wright, returning after a long-term ankle injury.

But they got off to the worst possible start by going behind after seven minutes as a Street header came back off the post and Callum Laird drove home the rebound.

Things went from bad to worse shortly afterwards when Toby Stephens picked up a clearance and sent an unstoppable shot flying past Viney.

To their credit, Wellington refused to roll over and they had a couple of half-chances before the half-time whistle gave them a chance to regroup.

Whatever Cherry said to them after the break, it certain paid dividends as they took the game to Street, pulling a goal back in spectacular fashion ten minutes after the restart with their first goal since November 20th.

The ball was laid off by Sam Towler, fully 25 yards out, and he blasted a wonderful drive past keeper Lewis Williams and into the top corner.

Wellington kept going forward in search of an equaliser without success and, when they were caught on the break in added time, the referee pointed to the spot for a foul by Towler.

Laird stepped up to settle matters only for Viney to perform heroics by saving both his well-struck penalty and his follow-up effort.

That signalled a frenzied last few minutes and Wellington’s efforts were rewarded right at the death.

A long throw ended with Jordan Hayman playing the ball across the face of goal where Quick joyfully snapped up the equaliser to spark wild celebrations.

The result will be a confidence booster for the Tangerines ahead of their home game against bottom-of-the-table Welton Rovers on Wednesday night,

Wellington: Jake Viney, Jordan Hayman, Tom Stone, Kieran Bailey, Sam Gleeson, Miles Quick, Sam Towler, Jack Winsor, Josh Lukins, Alex Parsons, Jake Quick. Substitutes: Sam Sheldrake, Glen Wright (used); Alex Cherry, Rob Hall (not used).