FOOTBALL: Town sink to defeat in the Premier Cup

Taunton Town 0 Wells City 1

IN the match programme for this Premier Cup tie it was stated the side would be playing every Tuesday and Saturday until February due to cup runs and postponements - but they redressed that problem slightly with a shocking performance in losing to Western League First Division Wells City on Tuesday, writes Kerry Miller.

A route one goal 19 minutes from time from burly striker Lee Pitman was enough to bring Town down at the first hurdle of a competition they were defending.

What made it all the more hard to take was the fact the visitors should have been put to bed inside the first 15 minutes as Town created a raft of chances but over-compensated for the extra time and space and eventually ran out of ideas - and, possibly, interest.

Wells can thank keeper Will Justin who brought off some stunning saves and was impressive all evening, and gained a warm round of applause from the home support behind the goal at the full-time whistle.

It could all have been so different had top scorer Jordan Rogers not smacked the base of a post inside four minutes and Josh Klein-Davies skied an effort from eight yards moments later as Town swarmed all over City and threatened to engulf them with goals.

Klein-Davies had another effort blocked before Wells escaped their half briefly and Pitman sliced a shot over the trees at the dressing room end.

Josh Searle then started a fine move down the left which ended with Justin denying Klein-Davies with a flying tip round the post and when Rogers was again kept out by Justin on the half hour the alarm bells were not yet ringing but the batteries were being replaced just in case.

Town began the second half well with Felix inches wide and Rogers firing over from 12 yards but Wells sensed in could be their night and began to venture forward.

Town lost their shape and the chances which had come so readily in the first half all but dried up.

Price, Carter and Craig Veal were introduced but, moments later, Pitman latched on to a long punt forward and nodded the ball over Lloyd Irish for what turned out to be the winning goal.