League slips away as Wells lose in final game of the season

With just a point needed to lift the trophy, Wells City allowed the Western League Division 1 title to slip through their hands with defeat against Oldland Abbotonians in their final game of the season.

City's slip up was capitalised on by Chipping Sodbury, who demolished Calne Town 6-0 for a dramatic triumph, as Mark Read expressed frustration at his side's failure to take their chances.

Read said: "We probably missed three clear cut chances in the first half and we did not produce enough in the second half and Oldland's punished us where it matters."

The home side made a bright start to the game and they almost took the lead on five minutes when a shot from central defender Ashley Bernard had Wells goalkeeper Will Justin diving across his goal to save brilliantly at full stretch.

Oldland then took the lead with their very next attack when Tom Morgan was given too much room to turn and fire a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Wells responded just as quickly with Jake Brown sending a shot crashing against the post, before Lee Pitman sent a fine effort inches wide after linking up well with James Batchelor and Brown.

Wells were then denied a penalty just before the half-time break as a long Scott Saunders free-kick undid the home side's defence and with Brown bearing down on goal he was bundled off the ball by Dempsey, but the referee waved away the claims.

Wells never got going in the second half and after a Karim Rendell deflected effort that brought a wonder save from Justin, it was the home side who always looked the more dangerous.

City's hopes of a grandstand finish ended in the final minute when Rendell picked up on a defensive error to slam the ball past the wrong-footed Justin.

Merv's merit marks: JUSTIN 8, Allen 8, Bryant 6, Saunders 7, Rendell 6, Sokol 5, Spill 6, Batchelor 7, Britton 7, Pitman 7, Brown 5. Substitute: Price 6.