Reserves dominate but lose to Ilminster.

Reserves dominate but lose to Ilminster.

Having been close in the first encounter between these two teams with only one goal in it a few weeks ago, this away trip to Ilminster was expected to be tough and that's just how it turned out.

Wells started well keeping possession in the opening quarter and were comfortably creating some pressure on the home defence.

Though on 16 minutes they found themselves 1-0 down against the run of play to an opportunist strike. A hopeful ball into the Well's box wasn't cleared as a defensive mix up allowed the ball to be poked home past Steve Coppell from close range by the Ilminster striker.

Wells contained to press and fine work by James Russell, George Carey opened up the home defence and Scott Hurley fired wide. Dan Poore then found Russell clear on the left and his in swinging at ball into Carey was saved at the back post when a goal looked certain.

Sustained pressure saw the home defence rely on clearing their lines, giving the ball straight back to Wells. The reserves continued to pass around Ilminster, working the ball from both sides of the pitch,they looked to open up Town without any success and the final chance of the half saw a Russell free kick fired just over the bar from 25 yards.

Shortly after Wells were fortunate not to concede a penalty kick when a cross manage to bounce up and hit Poore on what looked like his arm but the referee played on.

HT : Ilminster Town 1 - 0 Wells City Res.

Wells started again to control the play after the break against an 11 man rear guard. Wells threatened by playing behind the home defence in the second half and the tireless Ross Padfield continued with another man of match performance in midfield drove Wells forward to create openings in the Town defence, though were unable to make a break though as chances fell to Poore, Russell, Carey, Catley, Pledger and Hurley that were all blocked or cleared by the dogged back line.

Constant pressure on the home goal failed to see a break through and as Ilminster were reliant on attacking on the break, the defensive quartet of Russell, Andrews, Martyn Sheppard, Jordan Bazley who replaced Dan Barker on the right continued to sniff out any danger with ease.

Attacking frustrations saw the away side go down to 10 men on 60 minutes when Ryan Pledger saw red for the second time this season. But this disappointment didn't stop Well's Reserves, who continued to dominate possession with the remaining players who all put in some fantastic work rate in the final 30 minutes.

Clear opportunities were few and far between, though Poore was unlucky as he met a cross to the far post with a clean header only to see it sail over the empty net with the keeper stranded. And in the closing moments, the home keeper made a tremendous save to his right when a cross from Sam Andrews which was flicked on at the near post and was pushed over the bar to keep his clean sheet.

Suffering only the second loss in the league this smash and grab defeat for Wells City Reserves has seen them stutter in recent weeks. Only taking 2 points out of a possible 9 they need to get the season back on track if they are going to have a part to play in the final run in for promotion.

Wells Reserves travel to local rivals Street on Saturday determined to put some more points on the board, your continued support is appreciated.

Thank you to all the club sponsors for providing the necessary funds that allow all age groups to play for Wells City F.C

FT : Ilminster Town 1 - 0 Wells City Res.

Motm: Ross Padfield