Premier Win in Cup for Reserves!

Played: Away @ Stockwood Green, Hurley Hill, Whitchurch
Date: 12th September 2015

Premier Win in Cup for Reserves!

Wells reserves traveled to Stockwood Green in unbeaten form for this first leg of the Premier 1st Division Cup.

On a clear day, a good start by the home side who were quicker to the ball gave Stockwood control of the Initial interchanges and with some direct attacking play through the midfield and forward line they managed to take an early lead as Wells were caught napping.

Some smart play down the right wing opened up the Wells defence and a cross into Wells box on 2 minutes was met by James Basket whose defensive header only fell to the feet Shane Smith who finished well with a clean strike from 12 yards giving Mike Roper in the Wells goal no chance to score the opening goal of the game.

Stockwood continued to press in the and were unlucky not to double the lead with a shot on 5 minutes from Smith went just wide of Ropers post.

After a slow start, Wells began to take control of the play, moving the ball with some through midfield were able to create some chances of there own. Some nice play from left back James Russell and Dave Holder opened up a chance for Charlie Crook who's shot was held by the Stockwood keeper. Further play by Ryan Pledger and Zak Hall down the right side of the Stockwood defence witnessed a chance a Pledger created an opportunity for Hall who's shot went just wide.

Wells continued to press to find the equaliser in this entertaining first half with central striker Pledger becoming a handful for the Stockwood defence. Good work by Holder, Crook and skipper Dan Catley in midfield Stockwood gave a away a free kick just outside the box. James Russell stepped up to strike the dead ball but his effort just cleared the home teams bar.

More attacking play opened up the Stockwood defence to create Wells opening goal. A pass over the top of Stockwood defence gave Ryan Crowther an opportunity to open his legs and he out paced the keeper to the ball who brought Crowther down in the box to give a away a clear penalty. Dan Catley stepped up to stroke the ball low to the keepers right from the spot to put Wells level 1-1 on 20 minutes.

Wells continued to press and took the lead on 35 minutes. Some good passing between Pledger and Hall on the right again creating the chance, Pledge setting up Crowther to finish with a fantastic strike as an unstoppable left foot shot hit the top right corner of the net from 20 yards, seeing Wells going in at the break with 2-1 lead which on the balance of play was a fair indication of the game.

The second half started in the same vain with Wells having more control of the ball. Trailing in the game the home team became more and more frustrated, giving away a number of free kicks with some poor tackles as they were unable to create any chances to worry the confident Roper in the Wells goal.

The introduction of Jack Savery for Basket in defence and Scott Hurley for Pledger up front on 55 minutes gave the Wells some more pace which lead to Wells third goal. A tackle on Hurley gave a free kick to the away side just inside the Stockwood half, with right back Dan Barker taking the kick he intentionally picked out his target Charlie Crook whose deft header found the Stockwood net to give Wells a deserved 3-1 lead.

Stockwood made all there substitutes and began to press in the final 15 minutes but the Wells defence with Roper in goal the back four of Martyn Sheppard, Barker, Russell and Savery holding strong.

Man of the Match midfielder Holder continued to control the game with support from Crook and Catley, though some untimely challenges from made the game very scrappy towards the end, but some great work by Hurley and Holder to give Russell a further opportunity to score from a free kick, though his shot on target was held by the Stockwood keeper. Hurley had the final chance of the game as his shot from outside the area went just wide of the right hand post on 90th minute.

Wells finished the game with 10 men having made all their substitutes as Hall after some positive contributions unfortunately left the game with what looked like a bad stomach muscle injury.

A great away win maintains Wells Reserves unbeaten start to the season and high in confidence to take into the important forthcoming home fixtures in the league.

Result: Wells Reserves 3 - 1 Stockwood Green
Man of the Match: Dave Holder