Wells entertained bottom of the table Weston St Johns at the Athletic Ground looking to put last weeks cup defeat behind them. But once again they struggled against a side that have only managed 1 point away from home this season.
On a very heavy pitch that looked more like a Sunday morning pitch, Wells started the quicker and as early as the second minute could have taken the lead when Kieran Padfield flicked a ball into the the path of the advancing Ryan Crowther but the wingers tame shot from 20 yards was straight at the keeper. St Johns took the lead on 19 minutes when a looping ball into the box caused a mix up between Jack Savery and Jordan Bazley and the No 10 stabbed the ball home. A minute later Wells were dealt blow when the ever reliable Bazley had to be replaced because of an ankle injury. This meant a reshuffle with the energetic Charlie Crook slotting in at the back. The equaliser came almost immediately when an in swinging free kick from the right by Crowther was bundled in at the far post by Dan Poore. On 35 minutes Wells took the lead when the St Johns defence failed to deal with another free kick, this time Dan Catley finding Steve Emery at the far post and his looping header dipped under the bar.
Following yet another stern half time team talk, the second half started poorly and Wells were indebted to keeper Mike Roper, when he had to make a smart reaction save on the line to deny St Johns an equaliser. This was the only chance of the second half for the visitors as Wells pressed to increase their lead. Crowther was in the thick of things, first he created a chance for Catley, when a chip over the defence was headed backwards by the captain but his effort failed to clear the keeper. Then Crowther had a chance himself when a cross come shot was turned around the post by the keeper. Wells sealed the points when a long clearance by Roper was held up well by Kieran White and the the striker laid the ball off to Crowther who lifted a deft lob over the stranded keeper from 30 yards out. This still didn’t push the Wells players on and they didn’t create any other notable attempts on goal.
Man of the Match – Charlie Crook
Manager Mark Phipps said after the game “This was another below par performance, it’s becoming an all too common occurrence but we know the lads have the ability to play a lot better. But a win is a win and it means we’re still in the promotion chase. The lads really need to step up to the mark if they are to get promotion for the second season in a row”