Category: First team
Rovers 1 – 4 Manor Farm (photo link)
WillandRovers 2-1 CadburyHeath
BristolManorFarm 0. WillandRovers 1.
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Willand Rovers returned from The Creek, (home of Manor Farm) with the Paddle and all 3 points, thanks to a 38minute Tom Bath goal
Willand Rovers’ win over Bristol Manor Farm shows side is starting to gel says Russell Jee
Willand Rovers’ 1-0 win over Bristol Manor Farm is evidence of side gelling, says Russell Jee after second successive victory over highly-rated opposition
Tom Bath’s 38th minute goal gave Rovers the three points over Manor Farm and secured their first consecutive wins of the season after previously beating Bitton.
Silver Street chief Jee feels this is proof his side are improving after a slow start to the campaign.
“It’s small steps, one game at a time and it doesn’t happen overnight.” revealed Jee. “I said right at the start that it will take time for the team to gel but gradually we will get there.
“We just need to keep building, as we’re looking good away from home. We’ve got a tough game against Street at home on Wednesday night and they’ve very potent in front of goal, so we’ll see what that brings.”
Jee was impressed with his side’s defensive resolve in the win over Manor Farm, saying he was pleased to keep a clean sheet.
He said: “It was another pleasing win and the most pleasing thing was another clean sheet on the road. If you go to Bitton and Manor Farm and keep clean sheets on the road, it’s a massive plus.
“There was a willingness to keep a clean sheet, like at Bitton, and we put our bodies on the line.
“Overall, it was a very, very solid, hard-working performance again.”
Russell Jee aiming to sign new striker in time for Willand Rovers’ match against Bristol Manor Farm
Willand Rovers player-manager Russell Jee says he should have a new striker in place for Saturday’s game against Bristol Manor Farm.
Rovers, who recorded a 2-1 win over Bitton in their last game, have been looking to add to their attacking options in their bid to climb up the Western League Premier Division table.
They have found the net just seven times in seven games this term, which is the worse than any side in the top half of the table. However, Jee is confident that will change when his new striker arrives.
“He is playing a couple of leagues further down, but he could turn out to be a little gem,” said Jee. “I’m really excited to see him play.
“He is not the biggest of lads in stature, but he is tricky striker. He has got good movement and he will score goals.”
Willand face a daunting fixture this weekend though when they visit Bristol Manor Farm. They have score 18 goals in four games at home this season, more than any other side in the division, and Jee says Willand will have to show the same defensive resolve they displayed against Bitton if they are to get a result.
“Anything less than that and we will probably get beat up there,” he said. “They are the highest scoring team in the league and they play good, attractive, passing football. They will be tough to beat, especially up there.
“They have got a good team and a very good manager. They have got aspirations of playing in the league higher and they do everything properly. Our boys will be under no illusions. They know what to expect.”
However, Willand do have the chance to hand out the first defeat of the season on Bristol Manor Farm.
Point gained for Willand against Melksham Town, not two dropped, says Russell Jee after 2-2 draw
Point gained for Willand against Melksham Town, not two dropped, says Russell Jee after 2-2 draw
Russell Jee says it was a point gained and not two dropped despite his Willand Rovers side letting a two-goal lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Melksham Town on Saturday.
Rovers raced into a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes thanks to a brace from Lewis Tasker, but reigning Western League Premier Division champions Melksham pulled one back before Simon Hill’s own goal levelled the scores.
Melksham had the better of the closing stages, meaning Jee was pleased with the draw.
The Silver Street boss said: “It’s definitely a point gained. Fair play to Melksham as we were 2-0 up but they did what champions do and came back.
“They didn’t give up, which is the same as all of Darren Perrin’s sides. They came back into the game and came back strongly, so the result is a fair reflection of the game and a draw is a fair result. We’d have taken a point before the game and we’ll definitely take one afterwards.”
Jee added: “They had two good chances late on, so it’s a point gained – they’re a strong outfit.
“The players showed great character and kept going until the end. The match was a great advert for Western League football, as it was open and free-flowing, with chances at either end.”
Jee confirmed that James Blake is expected to miss the next few weeks through the coccyx injury he picked up against Welton Rovers, although he has signed Angus Wilson from Bideford to replace the striker.
Goalkeeper Kurtis Parkin has left the club in order to have a break from football, with Jee hoping to finalise a loan signing this week.
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Rovers out of FA Cup after 2-0 loss away to Barnstaple Town
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Willand Rovers were knocked out of the FA Cup after a 2-0 loss away to Barnstaple Town in the extra preliminary round.
The result means the Silver Street side have been unable to repeat their exploits from last season, where they managed to progress to the fourth qualifying round.
The game was always going to be tough on Russell Jee’s men after they lost 4-0 to the same opponents on Wednesday evening and they came under heavy pressure early in the match, with Joe Curtis having to clear a Will Nicholls shot off the line after goalkeeper Kurtis Parkin spilled a cross.
However, Rovers began to grow into the game, and Tom Bath had an effort cleared off the line.
The North Devon side were presented with the opportunity to go ahead just before half-time when they were awarded a penalty after Steve Holland was fouled inside the box, but Parkin did well to save Jed Harper-Penman’s effort.
Barnstaple came out strongly in the second half and opened the scoring just after the hour mark when Nicholls surged into the box before finishing past Parkin.
The lead was doubled four minutes later when Ryan Turner netted from the edge of the area.
Willand then had Chris Abbott sent off for a second bookable offence as they were unable to force their way back into the contest.
