15.09.2007 Frome Town v Willand Rovers

Match: Frome Town v Willand Rovers

Result: 2-1, Willand away win

Date: Saturday 15th September 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Badgers Hill, Frome

Weather: Hot & Sunny

Conditions: Superb

Crowd: 154

Ground Appearance: Very Good

Referee: Mark Russell, Bristol

Willand pulled off this fantastic victory at Badgers Hill, despite missing key players from their starting line up. With veteran shot stopper Brian Cann deputizing for the holidaying Nathan Whatley and David Hambly unavailable due to an ankle injury, manager Clive Jones was forced to re shuffle his pack in a team selection that also saw the return of Ian Patchett to the Willand squad. The `Rovers manager has tipped Frome to be amongst the teams challenging for the title this season and with only one win in six previous attempts against the hosts a close encounter was on the cards from the opening whistle. Willand set to their task straight from the off, looking the stronger and more composed of the two teams and with the back line being superbly marshaled by birthday boy Sam Croft it looked like a good afternoon was in prospect as they created the best openings in the early exchanges. Gary McAuley was the first to try his luck after venturing forward from right back but his shot on 8 minutes flashed wide with out troubling Richard Feys goal. A self inflicted injury to `keeper Cann was cause for concern for the Willand dug out as a pulled muscle following a goal kick nearly put pay to his afternoons football, but after attention from the physio Keith Sutton both on the pitch and at half time ensured he lasted the full 90 minutes. Sam Williams again led the line well up front and saw his first chance of the game sail over the cross bar as he went close with a header courtesy of a cross form David Steele in the 21st minute. From a Frome attack came Willands first clear chance on goal just 4 minutes later as a ball into the Willand box was headed away by the impressive Rob Norrish to the feet of Paul Pocock, whos hurried clearance forward put clear Williams with a 1 on 1 with Fey in goal, but a bad touch from the striker inside the box enabled the `keeper to save well and keep the scores level. The visitors deservedly took the lead just passing the half hour mark when a James Ansell free kick was not cleared by the home defense, allowing Danny Jee to nip in and score with a neat finish from just inside the six yard box. Fromes best effort of the game can on the stroke of half time with Mark Salter heading well over following a good cross from Simeon Allison. Willand extended their lead just six minutes into the second period thanks to a brilliant free kick by Steele. As Ansell drove towards the hosts goal he was brought down by Jamie Cheeseman for a free kick some 22 yds out, up stepped Steele with a sweetly struck free kick, curling the ball into the bottom corner of net leaving Fey helpless, and putting the `Rovers in a commanding looking position. A strike from fully 25yds out by Williams that sailed just wide of the upright showed his confidence in front of goal before he was replaced by Lloyd Beech with 20 minutes to go. Frome s Joe Gomes flashed a shot wayward on the hour before Mark Salter gave them some hope with a goal with 25 minutes left on the clock. Good work by Matt Petters and Dean Griffiths left the Willand back line flat footed, allowing Salter to pounce, putting a ferocious shot past Cann and into the roof of the net. The game turned from comfortable from a Willand point of view, to one of holding on for a brief period as the hosts got renewed confidence in their search for a share of the points. Beech should have put the game to bed with 8 minutes remaining as he dragged his shot wide of goal having been put clear through on to goal by Steele. Brain Cann showed why he still is the fans favorite as he pulled off a fantastic finger tip save deep into stoppage time, time enough also for Fromes Dean Griffiths to see red as he picked up his second booking of the game.
This Tuesday Willand travel to Tavistock for a game in the St Lukes Cup, with the winners facing Cullompton Rangers in the next round, and next Saturday are at home to Saltash in the FA Vase.

Willand: Cann, McAuley, Everett(Patchett 82), Croft, Hill, Steele, Jee, Norrish(c), Ansell, Williams(Beech 68), Pocock(Baily 78)
Booked: Pocock 34, Baily 85
Goals: Jee 33, Steele 50

Frome Town: Fey, Missiato, Farrell, Crowley(c), Cheeseman, Petters, Lapham, Griffiths, Salter, Allison, Gomes
Subs: Ranger, Duggan, Newman
Goal: Salter 63

Star Man: Sam Croft (Willand Rovers)