First league victory of the season

Wells City hit the back of the net three times for the second consecutive week to record their first league win of the season. City were well worth the win against a Longwell side who had gained maximum points from their league program going into the encounter and were setting the pace at the top of the table.
Wells could have made the perfect start as they went close to scoring within the first minute. Steve Sokol sped down the right flank to send a perfect cross to Adam Jones, but the strikers header went wide.
The opening exchanges were played at a frantic pace with the strong swirling wind making conditions difficult.
The home side took the lead in the 16th minute when Simon Drew latched onto a long ball over the top of the City back line. His 25 yard effort was going wide of the target but the ball got enough purchase on the strong wind to be blown goal bound, and hit the back of the net after bouncing off the far post. Not to be denied, the Cathedral City side responded in emphatic manner and drew level straight from the restart. Excellent work by Jake Brown and Steve Murray resulted in the latter delivering the ball to the near post where Jones bravely held off the attention of his marker to smash the ball home.
City were getting stronger as the game developed and had to deal with some over zealous challenges by the home side, many of which went unpunished by the official. On the stroke of half time full back Ben Higgins was floored by an off the ball incident which would surely have resulted in a red card had the offence been spotted.
The second period saw City exert their authority on the game with a wonderful performance which was solid at the back, full of enterprise in the middle, and clinical up front. It’s the level of performance which will see City climbing the table and being a force to be reckoned with if it can be maintained.
Cheered on by their travelling supporters, City took the lead on the hour, with a great strike from Jones. Steve Murray created the opportunity by stepping over the ball on the half way line and allowing it to roll through the Longwell defence and releasing Jones who had a clear run at goal and he beat the home keeper with a fine low finish.
Jones could have completed his hat trick when a connected with a delivery from Nathan Truckle inside the six yard box, but the Longwell goalie pulled off a fine save.
City deservedly added a third on 70 minutes when Brown intercepted a drive from Mark Randall and turned sharply to fire home with a sweet left footed shot from 5 yards out.
Longwell had little response to City's dominance, although the physical nature to their play continued with Brown being the victim of a course challenge, and Murray being hauled down in the box with a crude tackle, but the official waved away City's appeal for a spot kick.
Matt Hurley was introduced for the hard working Ross McErlain, whilst Jamie Gowers and George Mitchell also stretched their legs in the final minutes, replacing Jones and Murray, who are fast becoming a formidable strike force.