Cup win

The opening fixture in the Somerset Senior cup saw a tough game for Wells reserves as they travelled to Broad Plain House (currently 2nd in Division 1 East with 3 wins from 3)

It was a lively start from both teams who both seemed intent on making an early impact. The best of the early chances went to Broad Plain- mostly courtesy of great link play between forwards Sean Byrne and Ryan Turner. The pace and joined up play from the two front men gave the Wells defence all kinds of trouble.
The first good chance came as a result of them when a good forward ball from Tom McGauley-James found Byrne 5 yards outside the Wells box. A clever ball from him split the defence and found Turner in space on the right. As he was quickly closed down, he twisted and turned before pulling the ball back to McGauley-James whose shot hit the keepers right post before being cleared.
In the 11th minute, after a bit of back and forth, the ball once more found it's way to Byrne on the edge of the Wells Box. In an almost carbon copy of the earlier move, he played a defence splitting ball through to Turner who found himself in even more space than before. This time he took the ball on and played a side foot shot ball past the Wells keeper for an early lead.
The first half continued much in this vein. Wells had occasional chances but spent a lot of time in defensive positions with Byrne and Turner running wild.
The last play of the first half appeared to offer some hope. A long looping throw from James Phillips- Basket on the right hand side found David Holder whose flick on landed in front of Scott Hurley. His powerful strike through the group of players forced a save from the keeper and represented the biggest threat to the Broad Plain goal in the first 45.
The second half seemed to offer the same as the first 45, as a free kick ended with a Byrne shot heading just over the bar.
However, Wells slowly started to exert their influence on the game. The 51st minute saw a lively run from James Russell down the right wing which ended with a wreck less challenge from the Broad Plain left back to concede a free kick. The free kick was swing in with pin point accuracy by Dan Catley and was met by a David Holder header in the six yard box for a well deserved equalizer.
The introduction of sub Ryan Crowther in the 60th minute simply served to pile more pressure on the home team. His power and pace proved a handful and opened up space all through the Broad Plain defence. A desperate foul on Crowther on the right wing resulted in another free kick in the 66th minute. This time James Russell floated the ball over and David Holder flicked on with his right foot for another goal.
The second substitution from Wells to introduce Zach Hall created yet more problems for a beleaguered looking Broad Plain. Combining with Crowther, the 2 second half subs used their fresh legs to terrorise the Broad Plain defence.
A 3rd goal for Wells seemed inevitable and duly arrived in the 80th minute. Ryan Crowther picked up the ball just inside the Broad Plain half, out paced 2 defenders before reaching the keeper, where he calmly rounded him before side footing into an open net.
Wells continued to press in the final 10 minutes but also soaked up good pressure from a determined home side.

Final Score Broad Plain House 1 Wells City reserves 3
Man of the Match James Russell