Season ends on a high

Wells completed their league program in the same manner as they started - with an away win.
An impressive display by the Blues on an excellent playing surface in front of a good size crowd, which included a large contingent of travelling supporters, enabled the City side to finish in a highly commendable 9th place in their first season in the Premier Division of the Toolstation Western League. The victory ensured City stayed above their North Devon rivals
The strong, swirling wind made conditions tricky at times, but both sides looked to entertain, and were passing the ball around to good effect in what was an even contest throughout the 90 minutes.
The first half saw both defences largely on top with neither side being able to penetrate well organised backlines. For City, Jamie Gowers, skipper Kyle McErlain were again in fine form whilst being ably supported by the impressive figure of Mike Charlton who was making his first start of the campaign.
Mark Randall did well on 25 minutes with a typical surging run into the Barnstaple half to set up striker Steve Murray, but his effort was well saved by Luke Purnell in the Barum goal. Purnell was the busier of the two keepers during the opening 45 minutes, and he did well when called upon to tip a rasping drive from Mat Hurley over the bar. However, Hurley was not going to be denied, and when the youngster found himself in space on the edge of the box just prior to the break, he delightfully lifted the ball over the Purnell to give his side the advantage.
Barnstaple’s response was emphatic, and almost equalised immediately. A deep cross to the far stick caught everyone napping, and Sam Chitty should have done better for the home side, but he misdirected his header high and wide.
The Cathedral City side withstood some early Barnstaple pressure straight after the interval as the home side looked to restore parity. Kyle Bassett was first to go close when he wriggled free from the hard working Ben Higgins to unleash a venomous drive which beat the safe hands of Tom Punchard, but crashed against the upright. Moments later the home side thought they had equalised when Chitty swung the left peg from just inside the box, but the woodwork again came to Citys rescue, but on this occasion the ball struck the crossbar and away to safety.
Having weathered the storm, Wells regain their authority on the match and, driven on by Nathan Truckle and Ross McErlain in the heart of the midfield, began to open up the Barum rearguard. Jake Brown did exceptionally well to send Murray through on goal, and the leagues leading marksman should have doubled his sides lead, but Purnell brought off a fine save to keep his side in the game.
Steve Sokol was introduced from the bench in place of Brown with Hurley taking on a more advanced role.
With 15 minutes remaining, a training ground routine saw the ball reach Charlton 6 yards out, and he no mistake with a great finish, firing the ball low into the back of the net. The big centre back soaked up the applause from the Wells fans.
Murray made way for Ben Robertson, as City looked to close the game down.
With minutes remaining, the tiring Charlton was replaced by the experienced James Dash who formed a formidable strike partnership with Truckle, the likes of which is rarely seen.
Barnstaple were eventually rewarded for their endeavours with virtually the last kick of the match. A long punt into the Wells box fell at the feet of Chitty who produced a stinging drive to which Punchard could do little to prevent hitting the back of the net. Moments later the official blew the final whistle, with the last three points returning to Somerset from the North Devon Coast.
A highly creditable top half finish in the league is something everyone at Wells City FC should be rightly proud of.