20.05.2007 Willand Rovers v Welton Rovers

Match: Willand Rovers -v- Welton Rovers

Result: 2-0, Willand win

Date: Sunday 20th May 2007.

Competition: Les Phillips Cup Final

Venue: Playing Fields, Shepton Mallet

Weather: Mild and clear

Conditions: Superb

Crowd: 286

Ground Appearance: Very good

Referee: Andrew Bennett, Okehampton

Willand put the dissapointment of losing in the final last year behind them with this comfortable and well earned 2-0 victory over fellow Western League Premier opponents Welton Rovers. After only three minutes Lee Woodman picked up the first of the afternoons battle scars when an accidental clash of heads left him with a black eye and bad looking lump on the side of his face, in his pursuit of trying to bring some more silverware back to Silver Street. Danny Jee had Willands first sighter on goal with a nice turn and shot after 9 minutes, and just 7 minutes later Nathan Whatley pulled off a fantastic save to deny Welton with their first effort on goal. After Sam Croft had conceded a very tame looking free kick just off centre of the penalty area, Welton captain Matt Tilley stepped up and fired in a ferocious shot which to all watching looked destined for the roof of the net before Whatley superbly tipped it onto the cross bar to keep the scores level. As the afternoon panned out, Welton only ever threatened from set pieces and seemed more than happy to fall to the ground at the slightest touch. On 18 minutes giant Welton striker Leon Simpson had Willand boss Clive Jones remonstrating with the 4th official as the man in the middle had clearly not seen the forwards deliberate use of his hand into the face of Simon Hill, but to be fair to the man in the middle Andy Bennett he had a good afternoon on the whole letting the game flow as the challenges came in from all parties. Seventeen minutes in and it was Welton shot stopper Tristan Westlake who came to their sides rescue. A David Hambly corner was headed goalward by Croft and onto Phil Everett who fired in a low shot which the `keeper reacted to superbly and just put it around the post for a corner. A minute later and Everett was not to be denied, after more pressure the ball again found its way to the veteran striker who calmly looked up and picked his spot, curling the ball past Westlake from the edge of the penalty area, giving the Devon side a well deserved lead. Willand constantly pressed in thier pursuit of another goal with both Woodman and Croft going close with headers before the break. The second half saw the introduction of Richard Pears in place of Woodman, and he was to have a big impact later in the game assisting in the winning goal. Whatley was called into action just 3 minutes into the second half, dealing with another good strike by Tilley with what was Weltons only meaningful effort on goal in the whole of the second half as Willand dominated proceedings. Willand doubled thier lead on 64 minutes when a pin point cross by Pears found Danny Jee unmarked at the far post, Jee rose majestically and sent in a looping header over Westlake, nestling the ball in the top corner, before tuning around and celebrating with the jubulant travelling band of supporters who new then the cup was on its way back the M5 to Silver Street. Willand did not sit back on their lead and continued to press for more goals, on 66 minutes a Danny Baily free kick met the head of David Steele but went just wide and just 5 minutes later Steele again looked on in disbelief. After being put through with just the `keeper to beat, Pears held the ball up before setting up Steele inside the box, his effort ran agonisingly close across the goal line before inching past the wrong side of the post. Pears again was the provider minutes later this time putting in a measured pass across the face of goal which Everett just failed to connect with. With time running out it was Pears himself who had the last word with a thunderous dipping volley that was just touched over by Westlake. The final whistle capped a brilliant season for Clive Jones and his assistant Neil Greening, and the brilliant squad of players who have shown again they are a force to be reckoned with in the Premier Division of Western League football - well done lads!

Star Man, Sam Croft, Willand Rovers

Willand: Whatley, Ansell, Everett, Croft, Hill, Steele, Hambly, Norrish(c), Woodman(Pears 46), Baily(Beech 89), Jee
Sub: Down (not used)
Booked: Norrish 55
Goals: Everett 21, Jee 64

Welton: Westlake, Tovey, Bright, Beaverstock, Hughes, Mountford, Fussell, Tilley(c), Simpson, Guibarra, Briggs
Subs: Marlow, Mountford, Brimble
Booked: Tilley, Simpson