Wells went into this game looking to get back to winning ways following 2 defeats and below par performances. And it was Wells that started the brighter and on 4 minutes had their first attempt when a Olly Bryant pass was controlled and hit on the turn by Ryan Pledger, but the strikers effort went wide.
Portishead had a chance to take the lead on 11 minutes when a needless free kick was conceded 20 yards from goal by the Wells defence, but the visitors No6 drove his effort at the wall. On 20 minutes, Wells had to reshuffle after Dan Barker pulled up with what looked like a ligament injury, he was replaced by Kieran Padfield, who came on in an unfamiliar midfield role. 2 minutes later Scott Hurley missed a guilt edged chance when he rounded the advancing keeper and with the goal at his mercy seemed to miss hit the ball and the defender slid in to clear. Jordan Bazley then got himself booked for getting involved in a “handbags” altercation with the Portishead No9. 3 minutes later the No9 hit a rasping free kick, that hit the base of Mike Roper’s right hand post and rebounded to safety.
The second half was a lot better following a stern half time team talk, and on 49 minutes Wells took the lead when a trade mark Dan Catley free kick was headed home by a Portishead defender. Chances were then few and far between with neither team really taking a grip on the game. Wells got their second goal to seal the points on 89 minutes, when Bryant made a weaving run into the box when his shot come cross was bundled over the line by Pledger.
Man of the match – Jack Savery
Manager Mark Phipps said after the game “It was good to get back to winning ways, and keep a clean sheet, there is still room for improvement and the performance was not up to the standard the lads set themselves following last season”