Win keeps Reserves in second spot!

Following recent postponements, Wells Reserves returned to league action with a number of regular reserve players unavailable.
A new look side faced Ilminster Town side who had given league leaders Middlezoy a close game earlier in the month.

Reserve look saw defender Jordan Bazley making his debut in goal due to withdrawal of regular keepers Mike Roper and Leigh Johnston, the return of Jack Savery and Ben Higgins in defence, U18 Matty Davidson who has shown some positive development this term started his first Reserve game on the left alongside season debutantes promoted from the 'A' team, midfielder Ash Crowther and the experienced Keiron White up front.

Wells started impressively, with Ross Padfield, Dan Poore and skipper Dan Catley controlling the play through the midfield and keeping the ball away from the visiting side. The first opportunity opened up on the left hand side as some good work by Lee Lester set up Matty Davidson for a shot on goal from the edge of the box. A further chance created by some great hold up play by White to set up Padfield whose shot was cleanly saved by the away keeper.

Ilminster were able to put pressure on Wells defense and from a corner kick a clear header came back off the far post. Further pressure came from the home side with shots from Crowther, Padfield and White continuing to provide the home side with an opportunity to break the deadlock. Bazley was pleased to see his goal in tact at the break and Well's came off the pitch a little dissapointed they were unable to convert some of the chances in the first 45 minutes.

HT 0-0

A change at the break with Padfield being replaced by a further 'A' team debutante Matty Rivers, the second half started in the same manner with Wells maintaining control of play, with the Impressive Poore breaking up any advances by Ilminster in the holding midfield role. The ever present and consistent Martyn Sheppard and his centre half partner Higgins continued to hold strong and build from the back and bringing the midfielders into the game. And from pass into Crowther's feet from Higgins, saw the wide man open himself up to see his cross shot just clear the far post.

Wells then continued to press, with Davidson working closely to White , some tidy one - two's on the edge of the box set up shots from River's, Davidson and White with some shooting opportunities. Ilminster always looked dangerous on the break and from early on it looked like one goal would win the game. Bazley's goal came under threat a couple of times especially from the big centre forward but the stand in keeper was up to keeping a clean sheet, making a fantastic point blank save met by the number 9 from another corner.

In the final third of the game, it began to open up with the home side threatening the Ilminster goal, shots from Sheppard and Crowther kept the away defence busy and with just under 10 minutes to go, Wells finally got the breakthrough.

Some hard work by Crowther set up a corner kick which initially was cleared by the Ilminster defence only to fall to Jack Savery, whose pass to Catley allowed a second cross to the far past, Crowther some how manage to retrieve it and picked out Dan Poore who was free in the box, Poore took touch and with one movement fired a clean shot into the top right corner of the net from 10 yards on 82 minutes to put Well's 1-0 up.

Well's came under a couple of threats on the break by Ilminster, however, Lester, Savery, Higgins and Sheppard made some timely interceptions to keep the clean sheet and to allow Well's to win another Important game which keeps them in second spot in the league.

Well's City Reserves Management and Players would like to thank those home supporters who braved the cold to attend today's game to cheer on the boys. We hope to see your support at Glastonbury next Saturday and throughout the second half of the season as we push for promotion.
We would also like to thank ALL Club Sponsors who provide the necessary funds to allow the club to provide local talent with an opportunity to develop and show there skills through all age groups.

Result: Wells City Reserves 1 - 0 Ilminster Town
Motm: Dan Poore