10.11.2007 Truro City v Willand Rovers

Match: Truro City v Willand Rovers

Result: 3-0, home win

Date: Saturday 10th October 2007.

Competition: Toolstation Western League Premier

Venue: Treyew Road, Truro

Weather: Fresh

Conditions: Good

Crowd: 507

Ground Appearance: Good

Referee: Peter Grenfell, Penzance

Saturday saw Willand travel away to Truro City playing them for the second time in four weeks, looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat inflicted on them at home in mid October. The opening exchanges saw visiting 'Rovers have the upper hand with a good percentage of the play, but had to be alert as Truro tested the Willand back line with Nathan Whatley saving at the feet of Stuart Yetton following a back header by Sam Croft. Minutes later it was Whatley again who was making his presence felt, coming out and claiming a high ball in his penalty area, before the injury prone Danny Baily had to replaced by veteran Phil Everett on 15 minutes. With the Willand side looking like the A&E department of the local hospital due to the amount of players missing or struggling on through injury it was a surprise to many that it was Willand who were taking the game to their hosts, with David Steele providing the first shot of the afternoon albeit well wide. A great ball by Russell Jee found Paul Pocock whose cross shot was well saved by John Vaughan in the home goal. The first corner of the game came to Willand on 22 minutes, with it being beaten off the line twice to stop the 'Rovers taking a deserved lead. The home side had a good shout for a penalty turned down on 25 minutes when Jee collided with Yetton inside the area in an aerial collision, this kick-started Truro resulting in another effort going well over the bar from fully 20yds out, and another effort this time by Shane Tolley that was tipped over the bar by Whatley for a corner. Willand should have taken the lead on 38 minutes when Shaun Goff produced a fantastic 50yd pass picking out Phil Everett who headed back for Pocock who headed the ball against the 'keeper Vaughan. Both teams found time before the break to create chances, Graeme Power shooting wide from 18yds out for the home side and Pocock again on target for the 'Rovers but again finding Vaughan too good. The home sides team talk certainly seemed to wake them up as they came out a different side in the second 45 minutes and took the lead just ten minutes in with Marcus Martin shooting hard and low into the bottom corner with Whatley well beaten. It may have been mostly one way traffic but it took until ten minutes before the end before Willand were to concede again and it was Yetton again who was in on the action sprinting fully 45yds before setting up Chris Reski who volleyed home number two. Willands first effort of the second half came with just five minutes to go, Steele shooting tamely at Vaughan, but it was Truro who completed the scoring with Yetton heading home a Kevin Wills cross and seal all three points. 'Rovers can take heart out of this performance, knowing that if they had took their first half chances the outcome may have been far different. There were many good displays on the pitch, notably by Croft, Hill and Goff. The 1st half saw James Ansell and Pocock a constant thorn in the Truro side and captain Rob Norrish seemed to cover every blade of grass which saw Willand put in a much improved display despite going home empty handed.

Willand: Whatley, McAuley(Patchett 80), Goff, Croft, Hill, Steele, R Jee, Norrish(c),Ansell, Baily(Everett 15), Pocock
Sub: Cann(not used)
Booked: Goff

Truro: Vaughan, Ash, Power, Harris, Martin, Broad, Vercesi, Reski, Yetton, Tolley, Walker
Subs: Wils, Gosling, Smith
Goals: Martin 55, Reski 80, Yetton 90+2
Booked: Walker, Broad

Star Man: Jake Ash (Truro City)