24.11.2007 Devizes Town v Willand Rovers

Match: Devizes Town v Willand Rovers

Result: 2-1, home win

Date: Saturday 24th November 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Nursteed Road, Devizes

Weather: Cold & Bleak

Conditions: Good

Crowd:

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: G. Barter, Gillingham

Following their fine 1-0 mid week win away at Barnstaple, Willand came back down to earth again with another league defeat, this time away at struggling Devizes Town. A cold, bleak and windy afternoon awaited the Willand players as they stepped off the coach in Wiltshire, and with the wind to their advantage in the first half they made it pay going in front thanks to an early Danny Baily goal, before shipping two in the second half and travel hope pointless. Willand goalkeeper Brian Cann, back in as a replacement for under fire No.1 Nathan Whatley, was first into the action coming outside his area to tackle Adam Giles, who later shot wide after 5 minutes. Willands first real chance fell to Danny Baily, who, after beating several Devizes players shot well over the cross bar on 10 minutes. Just 3 minutes later the home side failed to heed the warning as a hooked ball into the box was side footed into the back of the net by Baily after the lively midfielder had made space for himself to shoot inside the penalty area. Again it was the 'Rovers who forced the issue with a great move involving Sam Williams and Baily that set up leading scorer James Ansell to fire in a low shoot that was well saved by Paul Thompson. Cann again had to be at his best on 20 minutes as a free kick by Steve Campbell from just outside the box tested the veterans skills. Shaun Goff also brought out the best from home shot stopper Thompson, as his angled drive was put away for a corner on the half hour mark. The visitors were now playing some attractive football, the passing and movement a joy to watch, but despite this it was the hosts who finished the half the strongest with Cann being called into action twice more as the wind played havoc with the ball, notably saving well from Rob Mitchell on the stroke of half time. If Willand had thought they had edged the 1st half. a strong team talk for the home side worked the oracle as they dominated the second period with Cann the busiest by far of the two 'keepers. Devizes levelled the scores on the hour mark with Mitchell beating Simon Hill down the left flank then crossing superbly for substitute Danny Sloan to put the ball past Cann with a great header. Willand did put the ball into the back of the net for a second time, but Bailys effort from a corner was ruled out for offside. It was Sloan again who was in the thick of the action for the home side and with just 10 minutes
remaining, grabbing the winning goal after being though on goal, beating Cann with an angled shot into the corner of the net. A brilliant Lee Woodman cross late on should have been met with Willand players touch, but his good work was wasted and Ansell could have also levelled late on but his left foot shot was well wide from just 18yds out.

Willand: Cann. McAuley(Patchett 62), Hambly, Martin, Hill, Steele(c)(Woodman 62), Goff, Baily, Ansell, Williams(Everett 73), Pocock
Goal: Baily 13

Devizes: Thompson, Newman, Sartin, Robison(c), Trowbridge, Beasley, McMullen, Giles, Day, Mitchell
Subs: Campbell, Digby, Sloan
Goals: Sloan 60, 80

Star Man: Danny Sloan (Devizes Town)