Improved performance to secure away win

On the back of two defeat's, Wells City Reserves traveled to Cleeve looking to collect three vital points in the league to put the season back on track. Wells were having to make a few changes in defence with unavailability of the regular goal keepers, with Dan Barker taking the unlikely position between the posts.

Wells started strongly on a blustery day with pace on the ball they were able to put Cleeve on the back foot , putting pressure on the back four and creating a string of corners.

The first chance came from a corner that was initially cleared by the Cleeve defence, only to fall to the feet of captain Dan Catley whose strike from the edge of the box glanced off the upright to go wide.

With the return of Ben Higgins and ever present Martin Sheppard in the centre of the back four and support of fullbacks Lee Lester and Jordan Bazley, Wells were able to keep the Cleeve attack quite which in the previous encounters had been a constant threat in the first half and keeping them down to just some long range shots that didn't trouble Barker

As Wells opened up the play, a pass that found James Russell from on the left saw is low cross-shot just go wide of the far post. Maintaining the pressure Wells were rewarded with the first goal of the game in the 35th minute.
Breaking quickly from a Cleeve corner Lee Lester fed Charlie Crook whose run to the half way line a perfect pass into the feet of the away sides big centre forward Ryan Pledger who broke the offside trap to go clear of the Cleeve defence, from 20 yards his stroked the ball home to put Wells 1-0 up. Two minutes later Pledger broke the offside again and however when one on one with the home keeper, this time his chip went wide of the post.

The high tempo being played by the away side continued to impress in this encounter and some standout performances were being seen right across the park. Ross Padfield's energy and composure in the centre of midfield allowed Crook to break forward in a string of attacks. The development of the partnership between Catley and Bazley on the right hand side was another bright addition to the first half's play.
Just before the break, Wells were rewarded for the constant forward play with a penalty. A cross to the far post saw Padfield rose and was adjudged to be pushed in the box which gave Catley the opportunity to score from the spot kick low to the keepers right to out Wells 2-0 up at half time.

Well's came out for the second half with the same positive attitude play and although Cleeve presented some challenging displays they looked deflated due to the scoreline allowing Wells to drive forwards.

On a muddy pitch the tackles continued to be competitive from both sides. Cleeve were opened up again from free kick by Russell that found Lucas Kyselica free in the box, he turned and shot which was blocked and his follow up shot just went wide of the post. Cleeve' continued to press and Barker had to be on his toes.
Becoming more involved, the Wells keeper pulled off a string of saves from the Impressive Cleeve attack, one point blank save when a far post header back across the goal saw his quick reaction save the ball at his feet.

The game changed on 58 minutes when after a strong tackle by James Russell followed with the talented midfielder seeing Red for descent and for the second week running Well's had to finish the game with ten men.

Though this week we would see a different result. Some hard work and determination the ten men dug in to hold off the attacking play from the extra man Cleeve team and were able to add to the scoreline with 15 minutes to play. The Impressive Charlie Crook picked the ball up on the left wing and with a drop of the shoulder he managed to get himself free of his maker and from 18 yards his low shot went in at the near post with the home keeper stranded to put Wells 3-0 up.

Wells were able to make a couple of substitutes on 80 minutes with the Introduction of Dan Poore and making his debut Matt Davidson in midfield offered some fresh legs for the stubborn Wells defence to keep a clean sheet for a rare occasion this season and go into 2016 holding second place in the league.

Man of the Match: Ross Padfield

Cleeve West Town 0 - 3 Wells City Res