Positives and negatives taken

Mark Read was left with positives and negatives to take from Saturday’s draw at home to Roman Glass St George.

Although it was disappointing to drop points against a team just one place off the bottom of Toolstation League Division 1, Wells dominated large parts of the game even after being reduced to ten men inside the first half-hour.

Read believes that his side would have eased to victory had James Russell not been sent off but was pleased with his side’s defensive display and the belief that his side showed.
“If we had kept 11 men on the pitch I think we would have walked it but they broke well when we were down to ten men and committing men forward. They broke well but a great defensive display is probably the best way to describe our performance, especially with Steve Sokol in a more holding role, giving us that bit of protection. One defeat in our last five games proves we are moving in the right direction and the big thing for me is that belief is back in the dressing room.”

The game started brightly enough, although the home side appeared to be a little lacklustre in clearing their lines early on and it cost them a goal as a Shah Bhakerd shot somehow found the back of the net. Wells counter-attacked with immediate effect as they went in search of a quick equaliser and, with the flanks on both sides being used to great effect, it only appeared to be a matter of time before the hosts would equalise. The goal came midway through the half following a good move between Martyn Sheppard and Tom Manning, who won a free-kick before his ball into the heart of the penalty area saw Ross Padfield head powerfully home. Wells were reduced to ten men when Russell received a second yellow card for retaliation.

The second half saw Wells generally in command but a winning goal proved elusive and the closest City came was when another Padfield header was cleared off the line. The visitors could have snatched all three points in the final minute as Chris Douglas missed a good opportunity from close range.