For the second time in a week over 200 supporters made the trip to The Culverden, including a special visitor from the local NHS who took advantage of the clubs free entry for NHS Workers offer.

For the majority it was a night of celebration as The Wells maintained their place at the top of the SCEFL Premier League table ahead of the FA Cup match against Beckenham Town on Saturday.

The match started brightly with both sides clearly up for the game after victories on Saturday, but it was the home side who capitalised after a delightful ball down the left. The visiting keeper could only block the initial effort as the ball skidded to Matt Day who took a touch past a defender to fire into the net after 8 minutes to give the home side the lead,

The visitors continued to attack and could’ve been level soon after good work down the right but the ball was easily collected by Aaron Lee Wharton in goal.

The early goal did nothing to dampen the visitor’s spirits as they continued to try and break down The Wells defence, but they were met with a wall of red each time they came close.

The Wells looking dangerous each and every time they attacked signalled that unlike last week against Erith Town 1-0 wasn’t going to be enough, using their pace down the wings to break down the stubborn Bears defence.

It took until the 38th minute until The Wells hit the back of the net again. Another fine move down the left, and delightful cross, flicked off the head Robbie Bissett to double the home sides advantage much to the delight of the home supporters, breaking out into song from the well-known culverden choir book.

Unfortunately for The Bears that was only the start of things, after 41 minutes the ball was kicked out of play as the visitors attacked, as on the far side The Bears number 7 David Barononski laid flat on the floor following a challenge by the visitors’ dugout.

Barononski received treatment through the whole of half time before being stretchered off as his team mates returned for the second half.

The Bears came out on the attack, clearly knowing the game wasn’t over and could’ve pulled one back within a few minutes of the restart, but again they found themselves thwarted by a diving goal line block from a Wells defender.

On 67 minutes the introduction of Josh Froggatt for his first appearance of the season changed the game. He worked tirelessly looking to make up for lost time. Running himself into the ground as he looked to breakdown the Bears with teasing balls into the box, a couple of which were put agonisingly wide.

It was Froggatt himself who scored the final two with a quick-fire brace in the 87th and 90th minute to out a shine on the nights result. A chorus of “FEED THE FROG AND HE WILL SCORE” greeting each goal from the very happy fans behind the net.

Bearsted in a game that always brings goals shouldn’t be disappointed in the result, they proved with their work that they will do some teams damage this season, but for The Wells it was a vital win before Saturdays all ticket game with Beckenham, and with memories of last season still on people’s minds, hopefully this one will be spoken about more for what happens on the pitch.

This morning I spoke to the Bearsted Manager who confirmed that the injury sustained to Barononski appears to be a trapped nerve following the challenge and not a break as many feared. Hopefully David will be back playing really soon.

Tun Wells – Lee – Wharton, Hope, Nurden, Huggins (c), Cheek, Bissett, Cork, Cornwell, Day, Wells, Sahadow 

Subs –  Froggatt (sahadow 67) Ince (cornwell 79) Griffin (day 87) Bartlett, Hudson

Bearsted – Smith, Dawson, Mccarthy, Majoyegbe, Penfold, Hafner, Borononski, Rogers (c), Ababio, Hatful,  L. Scarlat 

Subs – C. Scarlat, Wakefield, Irvine, Williams, Luqman.

Goals – Day 8, Bissett 38 Froggatt 87,90

Attendance: 211