Rovers do a “smash & grab” with a late goal to take all three points!

After a torturous three and a half hour trip up the grid locked M5 the match finally got underway at 3.30pm.

The Rovers players looked a little subdued after the long trip & hasty warm up with little fluency or cohesion in their early play.

After 17 minutes a quick break down the wing by the hosts lead to the opening goal of the game: the winger cut the ball back to the home skipper who coolly slotted home past a stranded Burton. 1-0.

This goal seemed to spur Willand into action. On 27mins, good interplay between Mani Skett & Will Richards down the left wing gave Will the opportunity to cut into the box & get a shot away that shaved the top of the crossbar.

Willand were now applying more presure and in the 32 minute it paid off as the very lively Scott Piper did a mazy run into the box and was tripped by a defender just as he was about to shoot. Penalty! Alfie Moulden steps up and blast the ball into the net. 1-1.

Parity was short lived as on 36 minutes the Slimbridge right winger, who was causing us a few problems down the right with his pace and strength, surged into the area and, under a challenge from Kieran Bailey, managed to get a powerful shot away that beat George at the near post. 2-1 to Slimbridge.

Half time 2-1.

The second half, with Rovers now playing down the slope and with the wind behind them, saw us put consistent early pressure on the host’s goal. Finley Rooke seeing a header cleared off the line on 48 minutes.

A few minutes later George Burton was called in to action to make a fine save, tipping a 20 yarder from the home captain over the bar.

On 55 minutes Rovers made a double substitution, bringing on Noah Coppin & Mitch McCann for Louis J-C and Finley Rooke. Noah had an immediate impact on the game showing his strength in hold-up play & in making a number of pacey runs down the right wing to stretch the home defence.

On 64 minutes Scott Piper made another surging run into the penalty area & was upended by the keeper. Another penalty for the visitors & a yellow card for the keeper. Alfie Moulden again steps up & coolly converts. 2-2.

During the next 25 minutes the game ebbed & flowed, but with Rovers having perhaps the better of the half-chances. On 89 minutes Alfie M picked the ball up on the right wing just inside the Slimbridge half, he cut inside dribbling past two defenders befor unleashing a drive from the edge of the D: the ball hit the inside of the right post and into the net. 2-3 and Willand in front for the first time in the match.

The final few minutes were played out without concern & Willand take the 3 points, just about deserving to edge it.