Win-canton.

– Saturday 30th December 2023
– 15:00 Kick Off
– Attendance: ~80
– Distance Travelled: 54 miles
– Line Ups

– Western League – Division One
– Moor Lane, Wincanton
– Weather: Rainy, windy
– Admission: £6
– Programme: £1

Intro

Wincanton Town start the day in 6th place and, thanks (I presume) to restrictions in how far up the pyramid Cribbs Reserves are allowed to progress, occupy the final play-off place in the division. 2 days before Christmas they managed a morale-boosting 2-1 away win over Shirehampton after something of a topsy-turvy run of results. That run included a heavy defeat at mid-table Middlezoy Rovers and an impressive 3-2 win over 2nd place Radstock Town. Last season the Wasps did make the play-offs, only to lose out in a marathon penalty shootout to Oldland Abbotonians, who were eventually promoted to the Premier Division.

Wells City find themselves in 10th position, but with at least 2 games in hand over their close rivals in the league. This is thanks to their exploits in the FA Vase where they reached the 3rd Round proper. This game against Hamworthy Recreation of the Wessex League was supposed to take place on the 2nd of December but thanks to the weather didn’t happen until a fortnight later. A narrow 2-1 defeat put an end to the Somerset side’s impressive run which included wins over higher-placed opposition in the shape of Welton Rovers, Laverstock & Ford, and Portland United. In the league, Wells are in a pretty rich vein of form with recent wins over Middlezoy, Gillingham Town and Keynsham Town.

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The Ground

Wincanton is a small town in the south west of Somerset, not far from the border with Dorset. It is more well known for horse racing, with its racecourse located north of the town. Wincanton Sports Ground at Moor Lane is separated from most of the town by the A303. The good sized car park lies alongside the impressive pavilion which houses the changing facilities, as well as bar and refreshment outlets for spectators. It is then a short walk to the football pitch, the main feature of which is the sole seated stand on the far touchline. This was getting a lot of use today on account of the wet and windy weather. The teams’ dugouts sit opposite the stand, and the rest of the perimeter of the playing surface is unremarkable.

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The Match

Wells almost got off to the perfect start within the first minute, as the dangerous-looking Ali Sen stooped to head Craig Herrod’s near post cross, but his effort was narrowly over the bar. Wincanton pushed back and looked to assert their dominance. A free kick was won mid-way between the halfway line and the Wells box in the 11th minute. It was sent deep into the danger area and found the imposing Matt Garner’s head. His header went back across goal and wrong-footed visiting keeper Harley Wilkinson to find the back of the net. A few minutes before halftime, Garner was causing Wells more problems. A long ball forward found the striker who took on his marker and sent a dangerous cross into the box. Some desperate defending from the away side thwarted Sam Fisher, but Tom Jarvis was on hand to smash home the rebound into the top corner. The hosts looked comfortable with their lead going into half time.

Home keeper Dane Rigby was lucky to stay on the pitch towards the end of the game as he seemed to clean out new signing Joe Morgan just outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick was sweetly struck through a crowd of players, but ultimately well saved by Rigby and cleared from danger by a teammate. Route one football beginning with a huge wind-aided assist from Wilkinson found Morgan who beat Rigby to half Wincanton’s lead. This meant for a nervy last 5 minutes or so for the hosts. Amazingly Wells did find the equaliser – a half-clearance went only as far as captain Tom Hill whose stunning volley looped over Rigby and nestled in the goal. There was still time for more drama as Wincanton won the game in controversial circumstances. They broke away with Jarvis who tried to take the ball round Kai Murrell, the right back won the ball back, only to be scythed down by Jarvis as the forward looked to win the ball back. Jarvis took the ball to the byline and sent a deep cross towards Garner. The striker leapt highest and planted his header past Wilkinson. The referee was berated by the away team for his failure to award a free kick for the incursion on Murrell in the build up. Meanwhile the home bench were running onto the pitch to celebrate with their teammates.

It was a dramatic ending to a game that provided lots of entertainment despite the weather. The locals are friendly and there was a good atmosphere in the clubhouse as well as beside the pitch.

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