AFTER heavy frost led to two cancelled training sessions and one postponed fixture, the first team were quickly back to winning ways and rose to the top of Kent/Sussex Division One.
The surface at Kent College in Pembury was playable and the team knew they had to settle fast, concentrate and execute their plan.
It was clear that both sides were rusty with the lack of stick on ball. But soon the breakthrough came when skipper Callum Wood positioned himself at the top of the D and got on the end of a well anticipated pass by coach Ben Allberry.
He knocked the ball round the keeper but was faced with a defender between him and the goal. Wood’s only option was to flick the ball hard and the Burnt Ash back blocked it with his body, allowing Allberry to score his second penalty flick of the season.
Wood had earlier left his stick and shinpads in the car when he was dropped off by his fiancée, so it was fortunate that he managed to retrieve them after a chase through town.
The game subsequently became scrappy and Burnt Ash managed to squeeze in a goal before half-time to make it 1-1.
Allberry’s half-time pep talk was to execute the easy stuff and keep discipline. It worked as Wells made strides on the Burnt Ash defence and looked to be the team on top.
Newcomer Ali Sitton showed good strength in the midfield, and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead again. A two-on-one with the keeper resulted in Allberry converting his second for the game.
Meanwhile Jack Garwood received two green cards for poor tackles and Mitch Hawksbee also received a green for the same offence.
As the game drew to a close a Wells attack in the D looked to have broken down but a bad touch from one of the Burnt Ash defenders from a cross meant Wood could ensure victory.
Wells are at home again next week and will look to consolidate their top spot against 10th-placed Worthing, who beat them early in the season.
