18.08.2007 Ilfracombe Town v Willand Rovers

Match: Ilfracombe Town v Willand Rovers

Result: 3-0, Willand away win

Date: Saturday 18th August 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Marlborough Park, Ilfracombe

Weather: Mild

Conditions: Good

Crowd: 132

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: Richard Greenwood, Plymouth

Willand Rovers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 win away at Ilfracombe Town with another impressive performance that sees them sit on top of the Premier Division table. The hosts who have scorched into 3-0 leads inside the opening 20 minutes of their previous two league games, could never find their stride as Willands quick passing and quality football left the North Devon side chasing shadows for large periods of this game. Ilfracombe did test the Willand `keeper after only 3 minutes but Nathan Whatley made one of his only saves during the game, making himself look big in front of goal to deny Leon Taswell. Paul Pocock, impressive down the left flank, had the first of many chances for Willand, lobbing over the crossbar after just 6 minutes. A David Hambly free kick from 20yds out was only just parried away to safety by Steve Oliver in the home goal after Steve Hobbs had brought down Willand skipper Rob Norrish on 9 minutes. Willand were over running their hosts, pegging them back in their own half and were given an opportunity to open the scoring from the penalty spot with just 12 minutes gone as Danny Bailys shot was handled in the box by Karl Baggaley, again Willand were to be denied as David Steeles well taken penalty kick was pushed behind for a corner by Oliver in goal. It was beginning to seem like Oliver was some kind of talisman for Ilfracombe as he constantly came to their rescue and again got his finger tips to a Norrish screamer, tipping it onto the bar on the quarter hour mark, and was again on hand to push a Phil Everett shot away just 5 minutes later. Another block by Whatley, this time from Shaun Lewis on the half hour, and a save from `Combes best player, Danny Robinson, put to bed Ilfacombes rare adventure into the `Rovers half. As half time fast approached, Danny Jee went close with a header following a superb cross from the energetic James Ansell before the deadlock was eventually broken in the 40th minute. A fantastic pass from Jee from well inside his own half split the Ilfracombe defence in two allowing Baily to sprint clear and slot the ball under the advancing Oliver for his forth goal of the season and giving Willand a more than deserved lead at the break. The passage of play changed little throughout the second half with Willand the dominant force. Just 2 minutes into the half it was Baily again warming the hands of the `Combe goalkeeper with another goalbound shot, and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage on 59 minutes with another goal from Ansell. A good Baily turn and shot was pushed away by Oliver only for it to fall to the feet of Everett, but after some hapless defending it came out to Ansell who gleefully tapped in from close range. More chances came and went in this one sided game, Baily heading over a Hambly free kick and to the amusement of some the failure to find the back of the net from just a yard out by none other than Phil Everett! Baily was again to see a shot tipped away by the outstanding Oliver in goal on 78 minutes before Willand completed the scoring 9 minutes from time. More calamitous defending from the home side saw Ansell unselfishly set up substitute Sam Williams to slot home from close range. To pick a Willand man of the match after this performance would be very hard but had it not been for the heroics of home goalkeeper Steve Oliver the scoreline would have been far higher.
This week sees Willands second string at home to Bishops Lydeard before the 1st team entertain Calne Town at home next Saturday, a team they have yet to beat at Silver Street in the Western League.

Willand: Whatley, McAuley, Ansell, Hambly, Hill, Steele, Jee(Beech 81), Norrish(c), Everett, Baily, Pocock(Williams 77)
Sub: Cann(not used)
Booked: McAuley 35, Pocock 70
Goals: Baily 40, Ansell 59, Williams 81

Ilfracombe: Oliver Baggaley, Robinson, Hobbs, Yeo, Marinaro, Hughes, Middleton(c), Lewis, Taswell, Madge
Subs: Vooght, Beades, Hutchings

Star Man: Steve Oliver (Ilfracombe Town)