In some style the newest Willand Rovers youth team got themselves off to a flying start with a 20-1 win away at Wiviliscombe today. Remarkably many of the boys only met themselves for the first time prior to kick off but no-one would have known when Rovers strikers Sam Ayres and Oscar Walsh put the away side two goals up before seven minutes had elapsed. A flurry of goals continued throughout the first half with Walsh adding his second, Christian Whales adding a brace and a further six goals from the impressive Ayres ensuring Willand went in at the break 11-0 up with the game in the bag.
Two changes at the break saw Cullompton’s Gareth Blackmore and Feniton’s Chris Badcott coming on to allow Walsh and Ayres a well-earned breather. Due to the midfield dominance of Captain Tom Jeacock (Tiverton), Aiden Harrison (Honiton) and Jacob Turner (Cullompton) a solid platform enabled Blackmore to score two quick fire goals within five minutes of his introduction and Badcott a fine solo strike from the edge of the box. Wivelscombe then scored a fine goal in reply to make the scoreline 14-1 around the hour mark. However, the Willand defence of keeper Gubb, Borkowski, Tucker and Billings were always resilient and further goals were scored by Harrison, Walsh, three more for Ayres and the best of the game from Jacob Turner making the final scoreline 20-1 for the Willand team.
The pace of Feniton’s trio of Sam Ayres, Christian Whales and Oscar Walsh alongside the guile of Aiden Harrison and steel of Tom Jeacock and Jacob Turner indicates that the latest group of Willand youth are destined for a good season in their inaugural season in the Taunton and District League. Certainly Ayres with his TEN goal haul ensured he got the plaudits.