25.08.2007 Willand Rovers v Calne Town

Match: Willand Rovers v Calne Town

Result: 5-0 home win

Date: Saturday 25th August 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Silver Street, Willand

Weather: Very hot

Conditions: Good

Crowd: 69

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: Brett Huxtable, Torrington

Willand maintained their position at the top of the fledgling Toolstation Premier League table with a comfortable 5-0 win over Calne Town, despite missing a couple of key players. The game played in searing heat, saw both teams evenly matched in the opening exchanges, but as the afternoon wore on it was the home side who began to find their stride and continue to play the attacking and purposeful football of the past few weeks. The revitalized Paul Pocock was the first to go close for the hosts as he connected with a Danny Baily cross to head just over the bar on 13 minutes. On 25 minutes Calne goalkeeper Gareth Evans was called into action as he parried away a James Ansell shot before watching the follow up header from Danny Jee get cleared from the goal line as it looked destined for the back of the net. The visitors did have brief flurries into the Willand half and home shot stopper Nathan Whatley had to be at his best as Danny Baker tested his skills with a good shot on the half hour. The home side eventually took a deserved lead with just 7 minutes to go until the break, thanks to a well rehearsed free kick from the impressive David Hambly. A free kick was given after Dean Hutchinson had upended Ansell 25yds out and after a well practiced routine the ball was slid out to Hambly to fire hard and low past Evans, proving that all the work on the training ground was worthwhile. Another fantastic goal was served up on the stroke of half time as Pocock added to his recent tally with a superb drive from just inside the box after being put through on goal courtesy of a fantastic slide rule pass by Baily.
The second half saw the home side add another three goals to their tally with none in reply as they served up a great second 45 minutes for those watching, playing more flowing football and netting some great goals in the process. Pocock gabbed his second of the game and Willands third as he again got on to the end of a Baily pass and hammer the ball in off the goalkeepers legs from a tight angle after nipping in at the far post just five minutes into the half. Nathan Whatley was adjudged to have handled outside the penalty area on 57 minutes resulting in his name going into the referees note book and the visitors handed a good chance on goal with a free kick. Calne Towns Danny Baker fired in a thunderous strike which rattled off the Willand post and maintained the home sides clean sheet. On 68 minutes young Sam Williams, leading the Willand frontline due to the absence of usual striker Phil Everett got the goal his performance deserved as he nipped into the box and connected with a Ansell cross and grab the fourth goal of the game. Jee was denied his first goal of the season on 75 minutes thanks to a fine save by Evans, but the 5th goal was just around the corner and came courtesy of Ansells predatory skills inside the penalty area. Hesitation by Hutchinson inside his own penalty area allowed Ansell to drive an unstoppable shot past the hapless Evans and complete the afternoons scoring. Calne did try and get a consolation goal with one last effort from Gary Banks but he could only watch as Whatley impressively turn his shot around the post for a corner late on.
This Tuesday Willand travel up to North Devon for a clash with Bideford, 7.45ko , before they entertain Hamworthy Utd at home in the FA Cup on Saturday. Willands 2nd team begin thier season on Saturday with an away game at East Budleigh

Willand: Whatley, Mc Auley, Ansell, Hambly(R. Williams 78), Hill, Steele, Jee, Norrish(c)(Burwood 68),S. Williams, Baily(Beech 74) Pocock
Booked: Whatley 57, S. Williams 68
Goals: Hambly 37, Pocock 45, 50, S. Williams 68, Ansell 78

Calne TownEvans, Ralph, King, Jeffries, Casey(c), Blackwood, Baker, Hutchinson, Lardner, Banks, Summers
Subs: Legg, Trafford, Hillier
Booked: Baker

Star Man: Sam Williams (Willand Rovers)