Promotion confirmed for Wells City FC

Wells City are back in the Premier Division of the Western League following an emphatic victory at Calne Town on Wednesday evening.

City had been on top for the majority of the first hour, but they trailed Calne Town by a first half strike and it looked as though Mark Read's side would have to dig deep just to pick up a point.

What happened in the final third of the game was beyond belief as Wells City scored five times in a quite brilliant 27 minute spell.

Promotion is certain, but the title is not quite there yet as Chipping Sodbury go to Calne on Saturday needing to win the game by six clear goals, while City would have to lose at fifth-placed Oldland Abbotonians.

Wells City for the opening two thirds of the game looked in total control, but with the home side leading at the interval, manager Mark Read changed the formation in the second half as he sacrificed midfielder Nathan Truckle and moved Scott Saunders into the midfield role vacated by Truckle.

Jamie Price was brought into a central defensive role and from the opening few minutes of the second half, the visitors looked far more adaptable and the goal scoring opportunities increased.

Leon Britton was twice denied in the space of five minutes, but it was on the hour mark that Wells City scored a well deserved equaliser.

Scott Saunders started the move with a brilliant defence splitting pass that saw the ever willing James Batchelor latch onto the ball before lifting the ball superbly over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Lee Pitman then put Wells in front for the first time before the same player scored from the penalty spot after Jake Brown had been bundled over in the penalty area.

Wells City were now playing with a certain amount of swagger and it was totally justified as those three goals in the space of 12 minutes had given every single Wells City player the confidence to attack the Calne defence at will, they were that good.

The fourth goal came on 79 minutes when the visitors were awarded a corner kick and although Lee Pitman failed to find too much accuracy with his first effort, the ball got played back to the striker who sent over an inch perfect cross for Leon Britton to head home.

It was a goal that Britton deserved as he had seen three efforts brilliantly saved prior to that and he also missed a couple of gilt edge chances.

Wells City added a fifth goal in the 87th minute with a brilliant Leon Britton left foot volley from 15 yards out.

Merv's merit marks: W Justin 7, A Allen 7, O Bryant 6, S SAUNDERS 8, N Rendell 7, N Truckle 6, S Sokol 7, J Batchelor 8, L Pitman 8, L Britton 8, J Brown 7, Sub: J Price 7

Referee: Jack Clench 7

Entertainment value: 8