Wells City Reserves travelled to champions elect Clevedon United with Mark Phipps and Barry Maynard taking charge of the team for the last time following their decision to stand down at the end of the season. Knowing that they would finish a respectable 4th and with Clevedon needing a point to win the league this was always going to be a tough game to get the lads up for but they had no intention of making it easy for United.
As early as the 6th minute Wells had the first clear chance when a Clevedon defender made a clumsy challenge on the energetic Darren Maynard and from the resulting free kick Dan Catley could only hit his shot at the home keeper. The Wells backline of Alex Henderson in goal Ashley Crowther, Jack Savery and Jordan Bazley kept the United front line quiet for the whole game and restricted them to only long range efforts. On 23 minutes Wells took the lead when good work down the right from Steve Emery saw the winger play a good ball inside to Catley, whose flick was latched onto by Maynard who drilled his shot low to the keepers right and into the bottom corner. Wells continued to press and with the midfield of Dan Poore, Ryan Morris and the energetic Charlie Crook working hard to close the United players down and not let them play. Wells were lucky not to concede on the half hour but they were indebted to Ashley Crowther when he cleared off the line. 2 minutes later Wells were reduced to 10 men when Ryan Crowther was red carded for retaliation and Crook was shown a yellow card following a goalmouth melee without the referee even talking to a Clevedon player!
At half time Wells made 2 changes, Crook and Catley making way for Olly Bryant and James Russell. With Wells keeping their formation the same Clevedon understandably came at Wells trying to make the extra player count but were unable to break down a resolute defence. Ryan Pledger was introduced to the fray on 57 minutes and his energy began to cause problems for the home defence and the striker could have scored Wells’ second on 63 minutes when Maynard got behind the United backline and his square ball was met by Pledger who skied his shot over the bar. On 68 minutes the home side were reduced to 10 men when Maynard was too quick for the advancing defender and came through the back of the striker, resulting in a second yellow card and his marching orders. The drama was still to come when with less than a minute remaining when a tired challenge from Russell seen the referee point to the penalty spot. But with the home players already celebrating the league title, United’s leading scorer stepped up and hit his penalty to Henderson’s left but the keeper guessed correctly and saved superbly one handed and the ball was cleared to safety.
Man of the Match – Ashley Crowther

Mark Phipps said after the game “This was a superb way for Barry and myself to bow out. Probably one of the best all-round performances this season. All over the pitch every single player put a shift in and they should be really proud of their achievements this season. We have really enjoyed managing this group of lads and they have a great attitude and can hopefully go one better next season and get promotion”