Bashley FC v Willand Rovers

This was our first visit to Bashley FC and we knew from when they visited us it was going to be a stern test for us, as our away form this season has been well below where we expect to be not by bad play but we have not had the run of the green.

So we kicked off, in the 2^nd minute Lewis Hill had a half volley from the edge of the box but it went narrowly wide of the goal. Then in the 4^th minute Bashley had their first chance, Harry McGrath for Bashley turned Adam Poole on the edge of the area and had a shot, George Burton made a great save with an outstretched leg to keep it 0-0

Willand went on the attack again, in the 10^th minute the ball was crossed into the box it was like pinball until if fell for Ryan Guppy who had a shot but Bashley’s centre back was there to block.

In the 17^th minute Lewis Hill knocked the ball over the top for Ollie Bray to chase but the linesman raised his flag for offside

Then in the 25^th minute a long ball went over the top for Bashley’s no.11 Harry McGrath who ran in behind but George Burton met him and was too strong for McGrath and he collected the ball safely.

In the 32^nd minute Ryan Guppy played a good ball to Ollie Bray who then beat his man and he cut it back for Lewis Hill who shot at close range but Bashley’s Keeper Ross Casey was there to save the ball and it went out for a corner.

Then in the 40^th minute Bashley scored. Bashley’s No.11 Harry McGrath cut the ball back to No.9 Jack Lovell who had time to control and curl the ball around George Burton.

Bashley 1 Willand 0

Half time

The second half got underway and Willand replied with a goal straight from kick off, Bailey Kempster ran with the ball from the halfway line he played it around five players and shot from just inside the area and it beat Ross Casey in the bottom right corner, great run great finish. Then immediately after the goal Bashley ran straight in the Willand area and win a penalty, George Burton stood large in the goal and made a brilliant save to his right to deny Bashley the lead

Bashley 1 Willand 1

Willand then made a couple of changes in the 58^th & 66^th minutes, Lewis Hill made way for Douglas Camilo and Ben Griffith made way for Gabriel Rogers.

In the 69^th minute Bashley’s no.11 Harry McGrath again was put through 1 on 1 and shot across George Burton on to the post, Willand were riding their luck at this point.

Willand then made their third change of the game Adam Poole made way for Dan Koita

Then the last real move of the game for Willand Gabriel Rogers breezed past the right back and slid Douglas Camilo through but the cut back to Ollie Bray was blocked.

In the 91^st minute Bashley had a throw in to the right side of Willand’s 18 yard box, it was a long throw into the middle which was head on, then Bashley’s No.11 Harry McGrath had a shot which beat George Burton at the near post

Bashley 2 Willand 1

Full time

Heartbreak for Willand at the death, Bashley will be happy with the win but Willand will know that our poor away form will need to change if we intend staying in the southern league next season, but with the management and squad we have I have no doubt we will turn it around.

Next up we are at home on Wednesday 15^th against Bishops Cleeve 7.30pm Kick Off.