Wells City put Tavistock AFC under pressure in rain-soaked league encounter

Tavistock AFC were beaten 2-0 away to Wells City in the Western League Premier Division on Saturday, with goals from Jake Brown and Luco Poncillo securing the three points for the hosts.

In pouring rain, Wells started on the front foot, with Sydney Camper and Jake Brown testing Lambs keeper Dan Holman in the opening stages.

Tavistock also looked for an early opening, as Tallan Burns tested Wells goalkeeper Creed from distance in the sixth minute, but it was collected easily.

Returning young winger Kian Burch was released down the left in the eighth minute, but his heavy touch allowed Creed to collect.

Wells won a free kick in the ninth minute before a corner was cleared by David Rowe.

Lambs’ Luke Potter and Oscar Knight combined in the 15th minute before the ball was squared across the area without a teammate connecting.

Holman made a good save in the 16th minute to keep the score level.

Wells continued to threaten, with Krystian Woods shooting over in the 19th minute and Luco Poncillo dragging an effort wide after breaking through four minutes later.

Wells took the lead in the 28th minute when Jake Brown turned away from his marker and struck a left-footed shot low into the bottom-right corner.

The hosts continued to create chances, with Woods shooting over from the edge of the area in the 38th minute.

Tavistock responded through Burch, whose effort was parried away for a corner in the 39th minute, before Holman saved a deflected shot in the 43rd minute.

A late free kick from the visitors was swung into the area but narrowly missed Daniel Udo, leaving Wells 1-0 ahead at half-time.

Wells threatened again soon after the restart, with Camper forcing a low save from Holman in the 46th minute.

The hosts then came close to doubling their advantage in the 54th minute when Sam Towler’s header was cleared off the line.

Tavistock continued to search for an equaliser. A delivery from the left narrowly missed Potter in the 63rd minute, while Burns sent a free kick over the bar three minutes later.

Wells doubled their lead in the 69th minute. Alfie Clark played the ball across goal and Poncillo got on the end of it to score the hosts’ second.

City’s lead was almost extended as Towler struck the crossbar with a free kick in the 75th minute.

At the other end, Burns’ delivery from a free kick was blocked for a corner in the 78th minute as Tavistock tried to get back into the game.

Burch was played through in the 86th minute, but Wells captain Calum Kingdon made a challenge to prevent the opportunity.

The Lambs had one final chance from a corner in the 90th minute, when the ball deflected off a Wells player and nearly found its way into the net.

However, the hosts were awarded a goal kick and held on for a clean sheet.

The result leaves Tavistock eighth in the Western League Premier Division with 24 points from 16 matches.

Wells moved to 17 points after recording their fifth league win of the season.

Tavistock’s next fixture is away to Newquay AFC on Wednesday, October 28, with kick-off at 7.30pm.