Taunton and District Youth League Under-15 Division One

WATCHET 1 ROVERS 15
Rovers U15’s team were back in action after a weather enforced two month break. New signing from Minehead, Charlie (Chaz) Dodd slotted into the Willand midfield in the absence of talisman Oscar Walsh who is currently starting a six week trial with Exeter City.
As has been the case a number of times this season Rovers conceded an early goal when Watchet scored an impressive goal within two minutes to stun the hitherto unbeaten Willand team. The Somerset team held the lead for a further fifteen minutes whilst the Rovers midfield began to get on top. The impressive runs of winger Kai Morgan lead to the equalizer when his cross from the right was met by Rovers leading scorer Sam Ayres who netted from ten yards out. Within three minutes Willand got their noses in front when Christian Whales went on one of his trademark mazy runs down the left and leaving four of the opposition defenders in his wake smashed home after a thirty yard run.
The Willand team were now on the front foot at all times with the centre midfielders of Chaz Dodd, Aiden Harrison and Josh Herbert largely pulling the strings though always having to be wary of the threat posed by Watchet who were dangerous on the break. A number of corners were forced and from the deadly set piece delivery of Christian Whales Captain for the day Matt Futcher rose highest at the far post to power an unstoppable header for a 3-1 interval lead.
The second half required the Willand back line of Goalkeeper Gubb, Borkowski. Billings, Futcher and Tucker to stem a number of attacks from a resolute Watchet team who were doing their best to get back into the contest. In fact given the conditions both sets of players provided a wonderful spectacle for the large crowd. The second half however belonged to Rovers striker Garreth Blackmore who powered him his first from yet another tremendous Whales corner on 58 minutes before wrapping the game up ten minutes from the end of an absorbing encounter when he finished off the hard work and guile of Kai Morgan with a poachers finish.
The Final result was Watchet 1 Rovers 5.

Man of the Match were Matt Futcher and Oli Billings in the heart of the defence
Goals were shared out on the day between Ayres1, Futcher 1, Whales 1, and Blackmore 2
The Willand Line up: Ben Gubb, Haydn Tucker, Ryan Borkowski, Oli Billings, Matt Futcher (Capt), Aiden Harrison, Christian Whales, Charlie (Chaz) Dodd, Sam Ayers, Garreth Blackmore and Kai Morgan. Subs: Chris Badcott and Josh Herbert.