Category: First team

Match Preview: Willand Rovers vs Bashley

Willand Rovers welcome Bashley to Silver Street this Saturday in a crucial Southern League Division One South fixture. Both sides currently sit towards the foot of the table, and with the early stages of the season still finely balanced, the contest offers an important opportunity for Rovers to build momentum.

Rovers head into the weekend in 21st place, having collected two points from their opening five fixtures. Bashley sit just below them in 22nd place, with a single point from their first three outings but a slightly healthier goal difference of –4 compared to Willand’s –13. Both clubs will be eager to secure their first league win of the campaign, making Saturday’s game a significant one for the standings.

Steeley Determination

Confidence in the Willand camp has grown following last weekend’s FA Trophy performance against Bishops Cleeve. Speaking after the match, manager David Steele was keen to highlight the progress made:

“We were the better team on Saturday. We stopped them having possession and getting shots away, and I thoroughly believe we deserved more from the game.”

Steele also praised the impact of changes made in recent weeks, particularly the introduction of Finn Herbert in a wide role following the departure of Jordan Copp:

“We made the changes we needed to make from our performance against Hartpury. Finn once again impressed me in that left-wing type position, and there are some really positive signs from the boys.”

Looking ahead to this weekend, Steele underlined the hard work being done behind the scenes to prepare the squad:

“We put in a really hard session in the week and the boys are as ready as they can be for this game. Liam and I have put in the work we feel is necessary for the team to improve — it is now up to the players to reciprocate that and deliver another positive performance against Bashley.”

The Opposition

Bashley have endured a difficult start to the season, taking just one point from three games. While their results suggest they have been competitive in matches, they will travel to Silver Street looking to find an attacking spark and register their first victory.

The opposition might be arriving in Devon still searching for their first league win of the season, but they possess quality in their ranks. One player to watch is Luke Holmes, the experienced winger who previously turned out for A.F.C. Bournemouth, Wimborne, Poole, and Shaftesbury.

Holmes is well regarded for his goalscoring ability and technical style of play, bringing both creativity and a cutting edge in the final third. His experience at higher levels of the non-league pyramid makes him a key figure in Bashley’s attack, and a player Rovers will need to keep a close eye on throughout Saturday’s encounter.

Ticket Information

• Adults: £12.00
• Concessions: £8.00

(Over 65s, Students with valid NUS ID, Armed Forces personnel with valid ID)

• Young Persons (16–18): £5.00

(Valid ID showing age/date of birth required)

• Under 16s: £2.00

Match Coverage

Supporters unable to make the trip to Silver Street on Saturday can still stay close to the action.

Full match coverage will be available across our official social media channels, with live updates, key moments, and post-match reaction posted on both Twitter and Facebook throughout the afternoon.

*Match Preview: Willand Rovers vs Bishops Cleeve – FA Trophy Clash*

*The Tie in Focus*

The FA Trophy brings knockout drama to Silver Street this weekend as Willand Rovers prepare to face Bishops Cleeve. Both sides see the competition as a chance to test themselves beyond league football, and progression could provide a vital lift as the season develops.

For Willand, it is an opportunity to spark a turnaround after a tough start, while Bishops Cleeve arrive unbeaten in all competitions and brimming with confidence. With the pressure of knockout football, this tie has all the ingredients of an intriguing contest.

*Rovers Seeking Redemption After Tough Start*

It has been a challenging opening to the season for Willand Rovers. Under manager David Steele, the side have managed just one draw, with the rest of their fixtures ending in defeat. Most recently, Rovers suffered a bruising 8–0 loss to Hartpury University, a result that left Steele demanding a strong response.

The FA Trophy, however, could be the perfect reset button. Steele will be calling on his players to tighten up defensively, show greater resilience, and use the home crowd to their advantage. For Rovers, this fixture is not just about progression in the competition — it’s about pride, belief, and proving they are capable of much better.

*Bishops Cleeve and the Langworthy Factor*

In contrast, Bishops Cleeve head into the clash on a fine run of form. The Mitres are unbeaten in all competitions so far this campaign, a record that underlines both their consistency and confidence.

Key to their success has been the form of midfielder Ross Langworthy, who continues to shine as the club’s “Star Man.” Langworthy’s ability to score goals from deep positions, combined with his leadership in midfield, makes him a constant threat. His influence has already swung games in Bishops Cleeve’s favour this season, and he is likely to be central once more at Silver Street.

Willand will need to find a way to contain him if they are to have any chance of progressing.

*Time to Rally*

This FA Trophy tie is about more than just advancing to the next round for Willand Rovers — it is about showing character. After a difficult run of results, David Steele’s side now have the chance to reset, rally, and prove that they can compete.

For the players, it’s an opportunity to channel the frustration of recent weeks into a spirited performance. For the fans, it’s the moment to get behind the team, lift the atmosphere, and play their part in driving Rovers forward.

Silver Street has always been a place where the club’s spirit shines brightest. If Rovers can combine determination on the pitch with passionate support off it, this could be the night their season finally sparks into life.

The Rovers are back on the road again, this time making the trip up the M5 to Gloucestershire as they take on Hartpury. The Whites had a less than desirable start to their away trip last time out when they went to Swindon Supermarine. With a draw against Falmouth Town, the Whites were going into this game with some momentum.

Not many changes to the starting XI, with Ross Edwards still out; this means Thiago Sa and Jordan Copp assist the skipper Jamie Richards in defence.With Willand looking to get their first win of the season at newly promoted Hartpury. Hartpury looking for the upset.

The mid-Devon side would be the stronger side on paper going into this game with some experienced players at this level. As they look to take their tally up to 5 points this season. The game started off even, but it wouldn’t take long for the home side to score, with their first coming in the 6th minute.

The hosts would get another in the 11th minute with a headed goal past Sowden-Bird. The Gloucestershire outfit have most of the ball, and it pays off; their dream start gets better, as in the 20th minute they make it 3. Just 11 minutes later they make it 4; with a few twists and turns, they shoot it bottom right.

In the 33rd minute they make it five in what can only be described as a thrashing for the Rovers, with Hartpury showing no mercy. They make it six on the verge of half-time (HT): Hartpury 6-0 Willand Rovers in what can only be described as a game the Willand faithful would want to forget.

The second half would start out the same as the first, as the hosts would get their seventh just 2 minutes into the half. Hartpury were overloading on chances to make it 8 with Willand defending heavily, but they wound crack in additional time, as in the first minute of additional time Hartpury scored an eighth. Full time: Hartpury 8-0 Willand Rovers.

Cup action next as we welcome Bishops Cleeve to Silver Street as we take a break from league action for right now as we look to get our first win of the season against Bishops Cleeve in the cup. Get behind the lads because they can really do with some support to deliver and get some wins on the board.

Another game in the Southern League, with Willand hoping to keep momentum as they make the trip up to Gloucestershire as they take on Hartpury. Last time out for the Rovers, they scored two late goals to rescue a point against fellow struggling side Falmouth Town.

Another chance to get some points on the road as the Whites travel up to the Hartpury University Stadium, where they will look to get the season well and truly underway and drag themselves out of the relegation zone.

The one to watch in this game is Louis Manning; he was their top scorer last season, and he will look to bring that exceptional form this season as he looks to be a goal threat for the visiting team tonight. He is a good player for the club and will cause some issues for the visitors.

The Rovers are back at Silver Street for some cup action next as they welcome Bishops Cleeve to the street as we look to turn our form around in the cups, as Willand got knocked out by Bideford in the first round of the other cup.

Get behind the lads, as they could do with some support in numbers as we look to get our first win of the season. Get behind the lads as we push through to September, and join us at Silver Street for some cup action after Hartpury.

With a less than ideal start to the season, the Rovers hoped to get their season off on the right track with a win away against Swindon Supermarine but slumped to a 3-0 loss. With one point against Melksham and a loss against Manor Farm, things had to change, and Willand hoped that would be the case on the road.

The Whites are back at Silver Street for their next fixture at home against Falmouth Town. Looking to right the wrongs of this season and get their first win of the season to get things back on track. With Willand’s start of the season, it’ll be interesting to see how they approach this game.

The one to watch in this game is Rubin Wilson, the 23-year-old centre forward from Plymouth Argyle’s academy. The prolific striker will look to continue his impressive goal scoring for Falmouth Town like he did for clubs like Bideford and Helston Athletic. He will look to break down the home side’s defence.

Willand are next on the road when they travel to Gloucestershire to play Hartpury on the 30th of August. Then on the 6th of September we welcome Bishops Cleeve down to the street for another round of Southern League action.

Get behind the lads as we look to get a good result against Falmouth and get the wheels in motion. There is a lot riding on this game, so get behind the lads, as they need your support in order to get our season well and truly underway against Falmouth Town.

Which one me should I use 🤷‍♂️

Our first away game of the season saw the Rovers travel to the Imagine Cruising Stadium looking for their first win of the season. The Rovers looked to get their season back on track with a win or a draw against Swindon Supermarine.

The away side reverted to more of the same, with Ross Edwards being the only name the away side were missing from the line-up. A team that has by now become familiar to the Rovers. With the whites looking to cause an upset in their first away game.

Supermarine would go into this game as the favourites, as they are keen to get promoted at the first time of asking. The game started out well for both sides, as they both had chances in the first half. It would be the visitors with the most chances in the first half, but the first half remains goalless.

The hosts would come into their own in the second half and score with a shot nestled in the bottom right corner in the 51st minute. Supermarine would continue to create chances and trouble the Rovers’ defence. In the 72nd minute they were rewarded with another goal to make it 2-0.

The away side had some chances, but it would be the home side which dominated possession and kept getting shots on the counterattack. And in the 87th minute, the Imagine Cruising Stadium saw three goals as the hosts topped off an amazing night for them with a third. FT 3-0 to Swindon Supermarine.

Our next game sees Willand take on Falmouth Town back at the street. Get behind the lads because they can do with your support and hopefully get our season back on track with a win against Falmouth Town on bank holiday Monday. It hasn’t been an easy start, but wins will come. Get behind the lads as we look to get our first win.