Rovers lose 1-2 at home again, this time to Bideford AFC!

Like a repeating record, it was another disappointing day for Rovers. As in recent games Rovers failed to find any fluency and when they did were guilty of over-playing the ball in the final third and being wasteful in front of goal when chances presented themselves.

The first half started with the visitors quickly out the blocks, obviously aware of the urgency for them to win to ensure their Southern League status. They passed the ball well & bullied the home defence on a firm but bobbly playing surface. Bideford looked dangerous with old Willand boys Craig Duff, Kai Fisher & Louis Jagger-Cane regularly involved.

Willand struggled throughout the first half to put any passages of play together and possession was dominated by the visitors. It came as no real surprise when Rovers fell behind in the 30th minute when a poor clearance was collected on the right wing & played to Charles Hanson on the edge of the box who cleverly chipped the ball over George Burton and just under the bar.

The half concluded with Bideford in ascendancy with Rovers pleased to go in just one goal down. Ht 0-1

Rovers made two early second half changes, Lewis Wilson replacing Bailey Kempster & Jack Veale replacing Glenn Gould. These changes seemed to spur Rovers into action & showing more purpose in their play. On 65 minutes Ben Griffith pulled a goal back, poking home a cross from Will Richards on the left. 1-1 and game on.

The home fans’ optimism was short lived: Bideford continued to out-muscle their hosts and Rovers failed to show any structure in their play. On 75 minutes Will Richards lost possession on the centre line, the ball was played through to Duff who was allowed to dribble forward & unleash a powerful shot from the edge of the box that evaded the despairing dive of Burton. 1-2

The final 15 minutes saw Rovers put occasional pressure on the Bideford defence but without creating any clearcut chances. Ft 1-2 and Bideford survive the drop!

Improvement will be needed for Rovers’ final match of the season when they travel to Highworth Town next Saturday.

Man of the Match, selected by Porters Bar & Grill of Cullompton: Will Richards