11.08.2007 Hallen v Willand Rovers

Match: Hallen v Willand Rovers

Result: 1-5, Willand away win

Date: Saturday 11th August 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Moorhouse Lane, Hallen

Weather: Very warm

Conditions: Superb

Crowd:

Ground Appearance: Very good

Referee: Alan Bird, Chippenham

After the usual indifferent results in pre-season games, it was back to business for the `Rovers on Saturday as they came away from Hallen 5-1 victors, a scoreline that was forgiving to the hosts as it could easily have been more.
Due to the holiday traffic the somewhat short trip up the M5 to Hallen took Willand around two and a half hours to complete, but despite their late arrival they soon settled into their stride on a fabulous playing surface in the blazing August sunshine. After only five minutes it was Phil Everett who closed down Hallen `keeper Adam Growcott who was outside his box, the ball then fell to the feet of James Ansell who saw his lobbed effort put away for a corner. The resulting corner was met by Sam Croft, but his volley flashed over the crossbar. Willand took the lead just five minutes later after good work by Danny Baily. The young acting centre forward won the ball deep in the Hallen half before cutting the ball back for Everett, who then sat two Hallen on the turf before rifling in a shot from 10yds out giving the `Rovers a 1-0 advantage. The evergreen Everett gave the Hallen defence the run around early doors before the hosts managed any sort of threat on the Willand goal, and when this came after 15 minutes the shot was well wide of Nathan Whatleys goal. Baily could have netted his first goal of the season after 20 minutes had he taken his time with his shot with only the `keeper to beat. Danny Jee also went close heading over a David Hambly cross before Willand doubled their lead on 25 minutes. A Hambly free kick from near the halfway line was misjudged by Growcott in between the sticks, the ball falling to James Ansells feet who gratefully shot low into an empty net. On the half hour mark Hallen had their only real sniff of goal, with a shot just wide of goal and another effort easily gathered by Whatley. With half time fast approaching Whatley was again called into action, this time tipping a shot from Mark Reynolds around the post for a corner. In the last few minutes of the half Willand managed to score twice, of which only one goal was allowed. Danny Baily, with only the `keeper to beat unselfishly squared the ball for Everett to fire home, but was adjudged offside. In the last minute a well rehearsed set piece saw a Hambly corner headed back across goal by David Steele to the head of Baily who made it a well deserved 3-0 lead at the break.
Much of the same followed in the second half, with Ansell shooting wide after a long throw in by Steele had been headed on by Everett on 55 minutes. A great three man move involving Steele, Ansell and Baily was finished off by the latter with a low and hard shot from 10yds out giving the `Rovers a commanding 4-0 advantage on the hour mark. An off the ball incident on 65 minutes saw Willands Danny Jee enter the referees note book picking up a yellow card, but Hallens Andy Proctor was not as lucky as he saw red and was sent off. Good work by Ansell and Steele resulted in Jee having a shot deflected over the cross bar. The corner that followed was never properly cleared by the home defence and this allowed Willand substitute Danny Burwood, on for Baily, to beat the `keeper with a curling shot into the corner of the net on 75 minutes. The home side did get onto the scoresheet with just five minutes remaining, Reynolds finishing off a good move and putting through an empty net. The visitors still had more chances to incresae their lead with both of the other substitutes going close, Lee Woodman missing a couple of easy chances with the goal mouth begging and young Lloyd Beech heading over a Hambly cross when looking certain to find the back of the net.
This Tuesday Willand entertain local rivals Dawlish Town at Silver Street, 7.45ko, with an away trip to Ilfracombe Town this Saturday.

Willand: Whatley, McAuley, Hambly, Hill, Croft, Steele, Jee, Norrish(c), Everett(Everett 82), Baily(Burwood 65), Ansell(Woodman 75)
Booked: Jee 65

Hallen: Growcott, Morrison, Hunt(c), Davies, Owen, Reid, Cook, Proctor, Reynolds, Fisher, Griffiths
Subs: M. Davies, Allen, Harris
Sent Off: Proctor 65

Star Man: James Ansell (Willand Rovers)