Ellis Laight gave starts to Nick Barker, Karl Green and Charlie Johansen with Clifford Walters dropped and Simon Revell and Chris Wright relegated to the bench as Buckland sought to put their cup exit behind them and start their league campaign with a win.
Jared Lewington had an early chance to give the Yellows the ideal start but he headed over. Richard Groves ended up being the first league goalscorer of the season for the home side as he slotted home a penalty after a Wellington handball.
Penalty footage pic.twitter.com/cVsVkf76ZN
— Buckland Athletic (@OfficalBAFC) August 8, 2017
Groves also scored Bucks’ second, his shot deflected past Sidley-Adams by Jack Bryant. The visitors then started growing into the game and pulled one back, Karl Green beaten to the tackle and Wellington breaking away and scoring through Jack Taylor. Adam Seedhouse-Evans then made a double save before half-time to ensure Bucks went in a goal ahead.
After the break, both sides created good chances, Connor Sidley-Adams doing well to beat away the best of them and keep Wellington within touching distance. Cameron Kelly did eventually get a third to give Bucks some breathing space, heading home a corner from just inside the box. Wellington reduced the deficit with a spot kick of their own, Ian Bellinger doing the necessary, but couldn’t quite do enough to deny Buckland three points to start their season.
Buckland Athletic: Seedhouse-Evans, Drew, Barker, Rudge, Kelly, Head (c), Green, Groves, Johansen, Lewington, Gardner. Subs: Wright, McCann, S. Revell, Clenahan
Wellington: Sidley-Adams, L. Bryant, Woodgate, C. Bryant, Ellis (c), Wright, J. Bryant, Towler, Taylor, Nott, Bellinger. Subs: Jones, Pengelly, S. Bryant, Badcott, Cooper
Attendance: 122