04.05.2008

Willand Rovers superb season was capped off with a fine 1-0 win over Frome Town, the narrow victory over 'the Robins' leaves the Mid Devon side with a 3rd place finish - their highest ever league placing as they continue to improve under the management of Clive Jones and Neil Greening.
With Frome Town the only team in the way of the 'Rovers in their pursuit of 3rd spot, only a win would guarantee the place as the visitors still had a game to play after Saturdays events. Despite arriving very early at the Stan Robinson Stadium full of confidence and fielding the giant injury prone Tiverton Town centre half, Nathan Rudge, it was the homes sides grit and determination that saw them through an evenly contested contest.
The game started brightly with chances falling to both teams, with the visitors having the best of them, causing confusion in the Willand box every time they pushed forward. In the 8th minute Alex Lapham crossed for Joe Gomes to shoot, and he only just put his effort over the cross bar and send out an early warning to the home side. Mid way through the half saw several silly mistakes gift the visitors the ball as the hosts went through an uncomfortable few minutes before finally getting a grip on the game. Frome Town were reduced to 10 men on the half hour with the dismissal of Sam Duggan for a late challenge on Russell Jee. The Willand midfielder had waltzed through numerous challenges before being brought to the ground late by Duggan, who will feel hard done by, as his challenge although mistimed was not malicious enough for a straight red. With the away side rattled by this decision, Willand took the lead in fantastic style just 10 minutes later, with a contender for 'goal of the season' from Danny Baily. The pass of the game from Russell Jee set Baily free, and his superb control and shot from just inside the area flew past the hapless Richard Fey in the visitors goal giving the home side a narrow half time lead. Continued abuse from the away dug outs at the officials saw Frome Town manager, Andy Crabtree sent to the stands as the pressure began to take its toll on the visitors. The second half was end to end entertainment with the home side playing like it was them who were a man short. Simon Hill was cautioned in the 58 minute for a late challenge on Frome Town captain, John Crowley, but unlike Duggan was lucky only to receive a yellow card. Another probing run from Baily into the box saw the ball eventually reach Russell Jee, who blasted just wide of the target on the hour mark. With just 20 minutes left both teams were down to 10 men as Hill picked up a 2nd yellow for dissent, and set up a frantic finish to the game. Frome Town pushed Rudge up front in their pursuit of an equalizing goal and as the match became more open both goalkeepers were called into action. Brian Cann produced a fantastic save on the edge of his area, desperate to preserve Willands lead and Richard Fey at the other end was to come to the rescue of Frome Town, producing a great save to deny James Ansell from close range.
This Tuesday sees Willand entertain Dawlish Town at The Stan Robinson Stadium in the final of the Devon St Lukes Bowl, 7.30ko.

Willand: Cann, McAuley(Patchett 89), Hambly, Croft, Hill, Steele(D Jee 75), R Jee, Norrish(c), Baily, Goff, Pocock(Ansell 83)
Booked: Hill 58, Pocock 65, Hambly 88
Sent Off: Hill 70
Goal: Baily 40

Frome Town: Fey, Metcalf, Missamato, Crowley(c), Rudge, Peters, Lapham, Duggan, Salter, Allison, Gomes
Subs: Colebourne, Caslake, Rustell

Referee: Richard Greenwood, Plymouth

Star Man, Shaun Goff, Willand Rovers