Pitman hat-trick secures 3 points in top of the clash

A hat-trick from Lee Pitman helped Wells City see off Chipping Sodbury in the top of the table clash as the home side returned to the summit of the Western League First Division.

Chipping Sodbury added to their own downfall by having two players sent off during the game, but despite a bright opening from the away side, City deserved to pick up all three points.

After being forced back into their own penalty area during the opening exchanges, Wells were given the opportunity to take the lead midway through the period and against the run of play.

A cross from the right saw Leon Britton get caught from behind as the referee pointed to the spot, with Pitman stepping up to convert the penalty to give Wells the lead.

From that moment the home side began to take control of the game and they were given a further boost on 55 minutes when Nathan Truckle was manhandled in unconventional fashion and the referee showed skipper Danny Coombes a second yellow card.

The ten men of Chipping Sodbury were left facing an uphill battle and the home side deservedly doubled their advantage on 70 minutes when Pitman fired a fine effort into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

City were now in cruise control and they went further ahead late on when Jake Brown twisted and turned a defender before being brought down in the penalty area, with Pitman once again converting from the spot to complete his hat-trick and secure three points.

Chipping Sodbury were then reduced to nine men on 88 minutes when substitute Andrew Criddle was shown a straight red for a two -footed, knee high challenge on Britton, which ended a bad day for Chipping Sodbury.

Wells City assistant manager Paul Jones said: "All we can do now is to win our remaining games, for all the players to keep their heads up and no matter whatever team we are playing we have to go out and win that game.

"If we win every game we win the league, we just have to remain focused and treat every game as though it's a cup final."

Man of the match was awarded to hat-trick hero Lee Pitman.