23.10.2007 Dawlish Town v Willand Rovers

Match: Dawlish Town v Willand Rovers

Result: 1-2, away win

Date: Tuesday 23th October 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Sandy Lane, Dawlish

Weather: Chilly

Conditions: good

Crowd: 88

Ground Appearance: Very good

Referee: M. West, St Austell

The 'Rovers put in their best performance of the season with this 2-1 derby victory over Dawlish Town in an enthralling encounter at Sandy Lane. With Simon Hill injured, 'tinker man' Clive Jones altered his side to combat the attacking threat of James Mudge and Antony Lynch, and he produced a masterstroke as David Hambly acquitted himself well in his new role along side Sam Croft and the very impressive Shaun Goff at the heart of defense. With Willand playing the ball too feet, they began to take control, sweeping forward at every opportunity, James Ansell the main threat as he constantly tore through the Dawlish back line down the left flank. It was Ansell who was provider as early as the third minute but unfortunately Paul Pocock was not on the same wave length, and a goal scoring opportunity went begging. Pocock himself was denied on 20 minutes, not through a good save but some very dubious refereeing by the match officials. Neat play between Ansell and Pocock saw the later flagged for off side when clean in on goal, he did produce a shot in frustration which was tipped over the bar by Mark Rock in the Dawlish goal. The referee then overruled his assistants decision and rightly gave the corner, but had the flag not been initially raised, Pocock was sure to score. This was the start of a disastrous evening for the trio of officials as both sides had some very strange decisions go against them. Dawlish took the lead against the run of play on 24 minutes, when their route one football was rewarded. A long punt from Rock in goal was flicked back towards his own goal by Croft, but he was unaware of the presence of the lively Liam Moseley who nipped in between and drove the ball past the stranded Nathan Whatley in goal. The remainder of the half was a ding-dong battle with both sides putting in 100% in the pursuit of the 3 points. David Steele produced a great strike from outside the penalty area on the half hour mark which was well saved by Rock, and Whatley in the Willand goal also produced a top drawer save denying Dawlish a second on 32 minutes. A long range shot from Willand captain Rob Norrish was tipped away on 35 minutes before another controversial refereeing decsion was made on the stroke of half time. With Moseley being clean though just outside the Willand penalty area, out popped Whatley from his box and take him clean out of the game, leaving the Dawlish player needing treatment from their physio. The decision to award a free kick and only produce a yellow card to the Willand 'keeper sent the home players wild and resulted in Lynch unsurprisingly finding his name into the referees book. The visitors went close to drawing level just a minute into the second half, this time it was Phil Everett who was to have his goal bound effort saved off the line. As Willand assumed control, a goal was all that was needed to reward all their hard work and it when it came on the hour mark, what a cracker it was. A pinpoint cross from Ian Patchett from the right flank was met on the volley by Ansell inside the penalty area giving Rock no chance, rocketing into the roof of the net and capping a fantastic period of plat by the 'Rovers. Another good break by Patchett on 75 minutes saw his shot deflected out for a corner, which when taken by Steele was just headed over the bar by the impressive Croft. A minute later Willand deservedly took the lead and what turned out to be all three points with another precious strike from Pocock. A probing run towards goal by Ansell saw him release Pocock whose shot just had enough power on to sneak over the line despite Rock getting a hand to it, leaving the traveling band of supporters to go wild with their celebrations. Dawlish substitute Radley Veale had their best chance to level the game but his header went wide of the mark when in the clear on 80 minutes. Willand still had time to produce a few more long range shots, courteously of Pocock and Steele as they made it 4 points from a possible 6 against the Seasiders this season.


Willand: Whatley, McAuley, Hambly, Croft, Everett, Steele, Goff, Norrish(c), Ansell, Patchett, Pocock(Williams 85)
Subs: Beech, Humphreys(not used)
Booked: Whatley, Norrish, Ansell
Goals: Ansell 59, Pocock 76

Dawlish: Rock, Worthington, Stevens, Moseley, Pugh, Laughton, Head, Sheare, Lynch(c), Mudge, Lammacraft
Subs: Fenner, Myers, Veale
Goal: Moseley 24

Star Man: James Ansell (Willand Rovers)