19.09.2007 Tavistock v Willand Rovers

Match: Tavistock v Willand Rovers

Result: 3-0, Willand win

Date: Wednesday 19th September 2007.

Competition: St.Lukes Cup

Venue: Lansford Park

Weather: Fresh

Conditions: Good

Crowd:

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: John Haynes, Plymouth

Willand cantered into the next round of the St Lukes Cup with this regulation victory over SW Peninsula Premier side Tavistock, coming away from Lansford Park three goals to the good. Despite not being at their clinical best, the visitors could have racked up a cricket score had it not been for some woeful finishing and some good fortune going the way of the hosts. Willand could have been ahead as early as the third minute as Sam Williams looked to have been man handled in the box by Tavistocks Joe Davey, but the referee from Plymouth had other ideas and waved away the appeals for a penalty. James Ansell was the first to test Andy Meeds in the Tavistock goal as he made a good save on 7 minutes. A Danny Baily corner on 17 minutes was flicked across goal only for Sam Croft to miss from close range, before a trademark free kick by David Steele was tipped onto the post by Meeds just 10 minutes later. The home sides Chris Short had a shot from outside the area blaze wide as they lacked the creativity to break down a dogged Willand back line. Williams put Ansell though on goal but he was again thwarted by Meeds as Willand continued to waist good opportunities to get on the score sheet. On 35 minutes the Tavistock resistance was eventually broken as Williams rose at the far post to head home a well taken Baily corner and give the 'Rovers a well deserved lead. Another penalty looked on the cards as half time approached, this time it was Ansell who was hauled to the ground by Davey, and yet again the referee could see nothing wrong with the challenge, to the disbelief of even the home supporters. Willand still had another chance before the break with Baily heading wide a Baily cross, and had Nathan Whatley to thank at the other end as he made a finger tip save to deny Mark Conday a goal right on the stroke of half time. Things didn't change in the second half as Willand continued in cruise control and went further ahead thanks to a cracker from Baily on 56 minutes. After a good run from inside the Tavistock half he unleashed an unstoppable strike past the helpless Meeds in goal from well outside the penalty area. Two soon became three as Ansell completed the scoring on the hour with a tap in from close range. A free kick by Mike Arscott rattled the Willand cross bar with thirteen minutes left on the clock, but yet again the visitors contrived to squander more chances to increase their lead notably when substitute Lloyd Beech had his effort cleared off the line having been set up by Ansell. Tavistocks Sean Cann was sent off late on for his second book able offence as the referee dished out the cards in a game that was played in good spirit between both sides.

Willand: Whatley, McAuley, Bailey(Patchett 66), Croft, Hill, Steele, Jee(Humphreys 68), Norrish(c), Ansell, Williams(Beech 76), Pocock
Booked: Ansell 52, Pocock 71
Goals: Williams 35, Baily 56, Ansell 61

Tavistock: Meeds, Short, Ireland, Stringer, Arscott, Davey, Steer, Minto, Conday, Cann, Kinsman
Subs: Ashton, Jefferis, Pugh

Star Man: Danny Baily (Willand Rovers)