19.04.08

Corsham Town H

The home side produced a stunning fightback, coming back from 2 goals down and get the point which will secure at least 4th spot in this bad tempered encounter at the Stan Robinson Stadium. The game finished with the points shared but it also saw 6 cautions and 2 sendings off as things erupted on the pitch from the 1st minute until the last, with three mass brawls failing to divert the attention away from this enthralling top of the table encounter. Clive Jones men have improved every season under his charge since joining the Western League back in 2001, and can be truly proud of their acheivements this season, a top 4 finish guarentteed and a Cup Final to look forward too, the only question is - will Jones stay next season and continue his good work?
It was the visitors from Wiltshire who were quickest into their stride and Ross Lye was the first with a shot on target, direct from a free kick after James Lye had been up ended after 12 minutes. The following few minutes were to have a big influence on the rest of the games proceedings as the home side were to be reduced to 10 men. On 17 minutes a mass brawl broke out near the home dug out following a stamp on Rob Norrish by James Lye that failed to attract the attention form the officials, when things eventually calmed down both the afore mentioned players picked up a caution. 5 minutes later Norrish was to receive his marching orders with a second yellow following a rash looking tackle near the half way line. Just a minute later it was the visitors Ian Parkes who was lucky to escape with just a yellow as he went in late on Willand 'kepper Brian Cann as things began to simmer. On the half hour, the home side created their best opening of the game when a wonderful Paul Pocock cross was headed back across goal by David Steele finding James Ansell, but his effort on goal was deflected away for a corner. The visitors deservedly took the lead on 33 minutes when a superb pass put Simon Gray in the clear for him to round Cann in goal and fire home from 6yds out. The second period saw the introduction of Danny Baily following the withdrawal at half time of Simon Hill through a persistent neck injury, and it was Baily who had the first sniff of goal just failing to connect with the ball with only the 'keeper ahead of him. Against the run of play the home side found themselves 2 goals down and a mountain to climb after Ross Lye bagged Corshams 2nd of the game on 58 minutes volleying home a right wing cross from inside the box. The home side continued to press and James Ansell was unlucky not to score as his effort hit the side netting on the hour mark. David Steele was the next to go close as his volley from the edge of the box skimmed the post following a fine cross from Ian Patchett. The impressive Steele did pull a goal back with just 17 minutes remaining, heading home powerfully following a Russell Jee cross. As full time approached the home side kept on applying the pressure and were duly rewarded with just a minute to go as Lee Woodman pulled the ball back into the Corsham penalty area for Steele to force the ball across the line for his 18th goal of the current campaign and spark wild celebrations accompanied by yet another free for all inside the visitors box that saw Dan Harvey sent off.
This result capped a fine week for the club, as on Tuesday night the Willand Reserve team put their name on the Devon Senior Cup, following a 2-0 win over Broadclyst SC, thanks to a goal in each half from Sam Williams.

Willand: Cann, McAuley, Hambly, Patchett(Woodman 67), Hill(Baily 46), Steele, R Jee, Norrish(c), Ansell, Goff(D Jee 75), Pocock
Booked: Norrish, Jee, Hambly Sent Off: Norrish
Goals: Steele 73 & 89

Corsham Town: Gingell, Windle, C Fulham, L Fulham, Harvey, Nicholas, Parkes, C Gingell(c), R Lye, Gray, J Lye
Subs: Lyons, Salter, Taylor
Goals: Gray 33, R Lye 58

Referee, Peter Grenfell, Penzance

Star Man, David Steel, Willand Rovers

2nd Team, Devon Senior Cup Final

Played at Cullompton Rangers on Tuesday 15th April 2008

Willand Rovers deservedly won the Sports Fore You Senior Cup defeating Broadclyst by 2 - 0.

Broadclyst were first on the attack and the Willand keeper Andrew Hill had to leap high to claw the ball from above a group of Broadclyst players. After 7 minutes Willand's Michael Wise with a crisp incisive pass found Samuel Williams but the forwards shot brought a low diving save from the Broadclyst keeper Lee White. Three minutes later Broadclysts Steven Woodward lobbed a ball to Tony Kyle but the strikers header was blocked by keeper Hill. Willand then had a good spell and on 17 minutes Brett Andrews with a 20 yard free kick was just over. A minute later Andrews was again in action with a longer free kick which found the head of Daniel Kenyon but the goalbound header took a deflection for a corner. From the resultant corner by Andrews, Willand Lloyd Beech was just above target with a header. On 23 minutes Andrews had a shot brilliantly tipped over by broadclyst keeper White. On 31 minutes had a great chance to score but Christopher White's shot was below par and straight at the keeper. Broadclyst were finding it difficult to repel the concerted pressure from Willand and on 35 minutes Willand seized the initiative and took the lead when Samuel Williams superbly turned on a sixpence leaving the defender stranded and fired low into the corner of the net. On the stroke of half time Willand defender Rory Williams waltzed past three defenders and crossed to Samuel Williams but his effort was saved by keeper White. Early in the second half Broadclyst had a chance but a Jimmy Frost shot was saved well by keeper Hill. Willand Humphreys had a fierce shot across the box blocked and at the other end Broadclyst's Paul Taylor similarly could not a find a way through the Willand defence. On 79 minutes Willand's Samuel Williams headed a Rory Williams cross against the Braodclyst upright and ball rebounded into Keeper White's hands. On 88 minutes Willand conjured up a superb second goal when Humphreys with a delightfully floated ball into the box found the head of Samuel Williams whose deft flick went above keeper White to hit the back of the Broadclyst net.

After the match the sponsor Terry Schofield managing director of Sports Fore You presented the Senior Cup to a jubilant Willand team

Man of The Match

Willands Samuel Williams