16.02.2008 Willand Rovers v Radstock Town

Match: Willand Rovers v Radstock Town

Result: 1-0 home win

Date: Saturday 16th February 2008.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Silver Street, Willand

Weather: Bright and chilly

Conditions: Good

Crowd: 72

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: Richard Greenwood, Plymouth

Willand made it three wins out of three as they gained another maximum points haul as they completed the double over struggling Radstock Town. After two great performances away from the Stan Robinson Stadium the home side had the chance to impress in front of their own supporters, but as has been the case so often this season they made hard work of disposing of the Wiltshire outfit. Willand dominated the opening period, creating numerous chances, but at half time had only one goal as reward for all their hard work and effort. After just two minutes a good turn on the half way line saw Danny Baily out pace the visiting defense before putting in a ball that found Gary McAuley unmarked and in plenty of space on the edge of the area, but he could only shoot well wide of the target. Five minutes later it was James Ansell who set up McAuley, but unfortunately for the Willand right back his goal bound shot was cleared away to safety. David Steele was the next to fire over the bar, following a Russell Jee corner on 20 minutes, before Steele himself was to become the provider, this time for Ansell, but he again was wasteful in front of goal blasting the ball well over the cross bar. The visiting defense was eventually broken on 25 minutes when a slide rule pass by captain Rob Norrish set free the impressive Baily who made no mistake from just inside the area, firing hard and low past visiting goalkeeper Gary Stevens. As the interval approached it was Baily who nearly doubled Willands lead with a fantastic shot from just inside the box that rattled back off the cross bar. The 2nd half saw the introduction of Ethan Pratt for the injured Shaun Goff, and also saw McAuley again shot wide of the mark early doors as the home side continued in the same vein as the opening 45 minutes. Radstock came more into the match as the game wore on, but despite them having more possession they never troubled Brian Cann in the home goal. A fine pass from Ansell set up Steele for Willands best effort of the 2nd half on 72 minutes but he could only watch as the goalkeeper just got his fingertips to his shot and put it out for a corner. The home side were reduced to 10 men on 85 minutes when McAuley was sent off following a foul on John Kilburn, after picking up an initial yellow card for the late tackle he then proceeded to pick up a 2nd yellow following comments to the referee straight after.

Willand: Cann, McAuley, Hambly, Croft, Patchett, Steele, Goff(Pratt 55), Norrish(c),Ansell, Baily, Jee
Sub: Jones(not used)
Goals: Baily 25
Booked: McAuley 84, Norrish 90
Sent Off: McAuley 85

Radstock: Stevens, Dando, Brain(c), Robinson(Stephens 84), Edgell, Schuster, Preece, Rich, Billing, Lewis, Kilburn
Subs: Bowring, Woodland(not used)

Star Man: Danny Baily, Willand Rovers