Category: First team

There’s not a lot to say about as 10 man Rovers crashed to a horror defeat to an impressive Manor Farm. The away team made up with many from last year’s Champion winning side Bishop Sutton. Produced a ruthless display of possession football that Rover’s just could not live with;

Rovers had to make a late change with skipper Jake Wannell feeling unwell. Bradley Stamp started up front and Dan Western came in for the injured Josh Wadham.

The game started like many others with both sides prodding and probing. Farm nearly took the lead when they cut through and hit the post. Rovers responded with a Russell Jee curler which was tipped away by the visiting keeper. But the let off did not last long in the 17^th minute Farm took the lead with another flowing move. Jee was then involved with a controversial moment in the game when he was a victim of another two footed horror tackles, the game was stopped but the referee took no action. Rovers fell further behind when a long punt down field was met by the impressive Shepherd who lobbed Gibbins in goal.

Into the second half and Rovers replaced Clampin and Bradley Stamp with Veal and Dean Stamp. For the first five minutes of the second half Rovers had the ascendency with Dean Stamp swivelling and shooting straight at the keeper. Then Farm took control of the game with a third. In the 77^th minute Simon Hill was red carded for a soft foul but he was the last man. A penalty was awarded although the Farm management all agreed it was outside the box. The spot kick was duly converted to make it 4. Two late goals rubbed salt into the wounds as Rovers slumped to a 6 nil defeat at home.

Rovers: Gibbins: Steele ©, Hill, Clampin, Hambly: Western, Jee, Hopkinson, Alden: Rogers, B Stamp; Subs: D Stamp for B Stamp 46, Veal for Clampin 46, Raybold for Alden 89.

Rovers collected three valuable points after showing nerves of Steele from 12 yards against last’s year’s champions. Sutton arrived with a much changed line from when we met a few weeks ago. Rovers changed Bradley Stamp and Scott Rogers in came Craig Veal and Dean Stamp.

On a heavy surface the game became turgid midfield battle with chances very limited. Willand’s midfield two Dave Steele and Bobby Hopkinson against their opposite three controlled the game for much of the first half. Simon Hill looked back to his best with another clinical display at centre back.

Chances were at a premium in the 12^th minute a Steele cross found Dean Stamp who blazed over the bar from 10 yards. Four minutes later Josh Wadham set up Craig Veale who could not covert the cross. The half continued into a midfield battle with neither side taking full control.

Into the second half and it was Rovers onto the attack straight away, their first foray resulted in a corner. From the resulting set piece the ball fell to Hill who surprised the Silver Street faithful with some dazzling footwork creating half a to the surface, penalty.

After last week’s miss Dave Steele took it upon himself to take responsibility for the spot kick and with great aplomb sent the keeper the wrong way and Rovers ahead.  Now with a lead to protect and with Sutton going to three up front Jake Wannell,  James Clampin, Russell Jee alongside the resolute Hill held out without fuss enabling Paul Gibbins to have his quietest game in a Rovers shirt.

Rovers brought on fresh legs with Dan Western and Bradley Stamp coming on and the later was involved in a fiery little spell involving off the ball incidents on two occasions. But this little tiff galvanised the side to produce a stubborn display and three points.

Rovers: Gibbins: Wannell ©, Hill, Clampin, Jee: Wadham, Steele, Hopkinson, Alden; D Stamp, Veale: Subs Western for Wadham 50, B Stamp for Veale 63, Rogers for D Stamp 89, Vickers, Hambly not used.

 

Speaking to assistant Manager Russell Jee after the game he was very pleased with the weeks work after the disappointment of the Vase match, 6 points collected, two more home games coming up, a clean sheet and especially on Tuesday night some fine football played.

Rovers travelled to Dorset and lit up the sky with a silky performance of flowing football which earned them 3 valuable points. Dan Western was unable to travel as he recovers from the horror tackle which he subjected to on Saturday. Craig Veale cried off late after suffering from a sickness bug.

As Rovers took the A35 East the sky flashed with sheets of lightning, but as we arrived at the ground the only element that caused concern was the strong wind blowing straight down the ground.

Rovers started with the wind at their back but it was the home side who took the lead as early as the 3rd yards after being left unmarked in the area. This was the game when the home team came out flying and for the first 15 minutes bossed the game although not really trouble Rovers keeper Paul Gibbons. Slowly but surely Rovers got themselves into the game with Luke Alden being a constant treat on the left. Twice he cut inside and let fly either for his shot to go wide or saved.

The best chance fell to Josh Wadham with his header untroubling the home keeper after good approach play from Scott Rogers and Bradley Stamp. Rovers continued to press but could not get that opening to restore parity.

Into the second half and Bridport had a set piece which was headed off the line by Jake Wannell and the follow up clawed away by Gibbons. That was the defining moment in the game. Alden won a free kick on the edge of the area. Rogers kick was half cleared, Wadham effort fell to Bobby Hopkinson who swivelled a rifled in the equaliser. Now the game changed Alden was tormenting their full backs and anyone else who got close to him, his runs caused havoc each cross or pull back were often scrambled away. In the 64th minute one such pull back found Hopkinson whose first time left footed curler crashed into the back of the net. Rovers were now on top Dean Stamp came on for Bradley Stamp and nearly increased Rovers lead with his effort blocked by the defender on the line.

Rovers: Gibbons; Wannell ©, Hill, Clampin, Jee: Wadham, Rogers, Hopkinson, Alden, Steele: B Stamp; Subs: D Stamp for B Stamp (65) J Vickers, L Raybould not used.

Rovers crashed out of the FA Vase after another disappointing performance away to Saltash. New signings Josh Waddham and Craig Veale both get introduction to the Rovers set up. Ex pro Bradley Stamp starts his first game for Rovers.

Rovers travelled across the Tamar without James Clampin and Bobby Hopkinson who were both suspended for this game as both had collected 5 bookings so far this term. Ironically if the Hallen game had not been suspended for the Devon FA game both would had been available today.

As in past weeks Rovers started well with another man of the match performance from flying winger Luke Alden he influenced the game at both ends and as early as the 2^nd minute his floated cross was headed over by Dean Stamp.

But it was not all one way traffic Saltash having weathered the early storm had their best spell of the game and for the next 20 minutes bossed the game. Dave Steele playing at centre back made a great block to stop a goal bound shot. Ashes hit woodwork from a free kick on 15 minutes and some 10 minutes later Alden headed off his line to keep parity. That header spurred Rovers on and were soon ahead a fine Scott Rogers pass fund Bradley Stamp his lay off found Alden whose driven shot was partially saved leaving Bradley Stamp to ram the rebound home for his first in Rovers colours.

On 40 minutes Dave Gibbons made a flying save to keep Rovers ahead but was finally undone when he could only push a wind assisted onto the bar leaving the onrushing forward a simple tap in. He looked off side when the initial shot came in but nothing was given.

Into the second half which started with Rovers on fire and Dan Western was subjected to the crudest of tackles, high, dangerous, studs showing resulting in a lengthy treatment and a yellow card for the opponent. It did not stop Rovers a beautiful ball set up Bradley Stamp and he fired wide. On the hour Craig Veale was introduced for Dean Stamp and his first involvement was to place the ball on the penalty spot after Rogers had been hauled down in the area. After an age of gamesmanship he stroked his penalty towards the bottom corner but the keeper had guested right and saved it. Josh Waddham was introduced for Bradley Stamp a minute later and Rovers kept pressing with to flying wingers tormenting their fullbacks meant the supply line was relentless but unfortunately no one could get on the end of these crosses.

The game turned in the 75 minute when Ashes finally got into the Rovers half a run down the our right got the player to the by-line his cross was met at the near post but the effort was wide. The referee pointed to the spot for an infringement on the crossing player who certainly wasn’t touched before he crossed the ball. Penalty given this time Gibbons could not repeat last week’s heroics and Ashes were ahead.

Rovers kept pushing Alden tested the keeper, Waddham had a shot blocked but in the end Rovers could not find the equaliser to bring Saltash back to Silver Street.

Rovers: Gibbons: Wannell©, Hill, Steele, Hambly: Western, Rogers, Jee, Alden: D Stamp, B Stamp: Subs: Veale for D Stamp (60), Waddham for B Stamp (67) Vickers not used.

Rovers travelled to the Somerset mining town of Radstock in buoyant mood after their victory against Cadbury Heath. Owen Howe and Darren Gibbons came into the starting XI and new signing Bradley Stamp occupied one of the subs berths.

Rovers started the game as a side full of confidence, as early as the 1^st minute James Clampin bullet like header rattled the cross bar. From the resulting corner the ball was half cleared and Clampin hit a sweet right volley which smashed into the post. Rovers made it a hat trick of hitting the woodwork when Luke Alden shot hit the post after being set up by Howe. On 19 minutes Howe was denied by some brave keeping as the Town stopper dived at his feet.

But the game changed having weathered the storm Town took the lead from a free kick which was half saved leaving a simple tap in. 1 became 2 two minute later the referee played on when Dan Western had clearly been fouled from the breakaway Gibbons produced a stunning one handed save but from the resulting corner no one picked up the man at the far post who headed home unchallenged.

Left with a mountain to climb Rovers tried to get that vital break before half time. To show that most Rovers players could hit the frame of the goal a sublime Western free kick hit upright and bar rolled along the line and cleared to safety. Radstock broke and got a soft penalty for hand ball was this to be the final nail in Rovers coffin, Gibbons thought otherwise and produced a great save from 12 yards, was that to be the turning point as the sides walked the long march to the changing rooms.

The second half took a while to get going Rovers prodded and probed but could not find a way through. To get back into the match ex MK Dons striker Bradley Stamp was introduced on the hour as Rovers went three at the back and three up front. Western again had a free kick clawed away by the Town keeper. In the 71^st Bradley Stamp effort was blocked on the line. As Rovers flooded forward Town broke and secured another penalty from a foul this time the taker made no mistake although Gibbons was close to pulling of a penalty double save.

But Rovers did not give up Bradley Stamp flicked header from a corner – you guessed it – hit the post and rolled clear. Just as you thought it was not going to be Rovers day Dean Stamp produced a right footed curler which evaded everyone and went in off the post.

Rovers; Gibbons: Wannell ©, Hill, Clampin, Jee: Western D, Steele, Hopkinson, Alden: Stamp D, Howe: Subs; B Stamp for Jee (60)  Rogers for Steele (70) R Western not used.

Many good sides rely on an SAS strike force, from Blackburn in the 90’s, England in the 00’s and Liverpool today. Willand have found a pair of SAS goal scorers. Dean Stamp scored his 10^th of the season and David Steele his 4^th of the season to give Rovers three points against 4^th place Cadbury and banish the ghosts of a soggy Wednesday night. This was a double celebration for the club as club stalwart Mike ‘Bacon’ Mears reached his octogenarian status his support behind the scenes is invaluable to the club, all Rovers salute you Mike, Happy Birthday.   Having lost once in September, Rovers started October with a defeat as they succumbed to a narrow home defeat to top of the table Gillingham. A quiet Wednesday night dressing room gave Rovers the necessary fire in their belly for todays encounter. Dave Hambly replaced Russell Jee at left back was the only personnel change although some of the players swapped positions from Wednesdays game. Todays game started as you would expect from two footballing teams with the usual sparring and jousting neither side were able to create much in the first 20 minutes as the teams sized each other up.  The game suddenly woke up with a flowing Rovers move involving Dan Western and Stamp whose righted footed effort was smothered.  Not to be disappointed Steele won the ball in midfield slipped the ball through to Stamp who turned his defender and rifled his shot into the top of the net. Rovers 1 up. Western had a shot which was fumbled by the keeper who reacted quick enough to gather the ball before it crossed the line.         But it wasn’t all Rovers, Heath threatened but with each attack they were repelled by the Rovers back line, there one chance at goal was nullified by Sam Alexander’s brave dive at the on rushing strikers feet.                       Into the second half and another Stamp effort flashed wide. In the 50^th minute all Rovers efforts seemed to have been cancelled out as Heath grabbed an equaliser with a far post finish. But Rovers rolled up their sleeves and got back into the game, 7 minutes later Luke Alden beat two players out wide moved the ball inside to Scott Rogers who in turn passed it onto Stamp whose neat dummy set up Steele whose sublime chip nestled into the top corner.            In the last 15 minutes of the game Heath threw everything they had at Rovers, Alexander made two class saves to keep Rovers ahead. Each of the back four made telling blocks when an equaliser looked certain. Simon Hill for the second week in a row gave all watching a defensive master class on how to be a determining, nuggety, aggressive winner which again earned him the man of match award. With Heath pushing for that goal Rovers exploited the gaps at the back. Stamp should have done better with a free header and Rogers shot curled past the far post. But Willand were worthy winners and narrowed the gap to the visitors to 2 points.

Rovers: Alexander; Wannell©, Hill, Clampin, Hambly: Western D, Steele, Hopkinson, Alden: Rogers, Stamp: Subs: Jee for Hopkinson (75) R Western for Rogers (89).

Speaking to Willand legend after the game Hedley Steele was pleased with a more cohesive team performance. Rovers probably felt they deserved at least a draw on Wednesday and Heath probably felt the same today, but that’s football.

Willand succumbed to a classic defeat to a visiting team conceding an 87 minute goal to 2^nd place Gillingham. The game started in torrents of rain which would have had Noah rubbing his hands. As the heavens opened the Willand faithful packed the stand and the covered area to keep out of the way of the biblical proportioned storm.The weather certainly did not dampen the player’s spirit and as early as the 3^rd minute a Russell Jee free kick was pushed away for a corner. From the resulting set piece a David Steele flick was cleared off the line. Willand kept pressing Dean Stamp and Luke Alden had efforts saved at the second occasion. A Dan Western fierce drive was deflected narrowly wide the same player on the 25^th minute had a shot that squirmed through the keeper only to roll agonisingly wide of the far post.In the 35^th minute Simon Hill had a header from a Bobby Hopkinson corner also cleared off the line. But as the game went on Gillingham crept back into the game their striker hit the post on 40^th minutes. This stirred Rovers into one more effort of the half with Alden firing wide.Into the second half and the game plan seemed to change more aerial balls were played forward thereby bypassing the heavy pitch, but those balls were swallowed up by the Gillingham back line. With Rovers feeding off second balls they got a free kick on 54 minutes which Hopkinson curled onto the roof of the net. Western’s jinxing run step up Stamp on the volley who shaved the post with his shot.The defining moment in the game came on 66^th minute when Stamp was pushed off the ball a move that suited the All Blacks rather than a football match. No penalty, so for the second game in a row the referee failed to act on fouls in the box which would have been fouls anywhere else on the park.5 minutes later Western hit the cross bar with a curler and followed that up with some fantastically quick feet only for his shot to fly over. He was replaced on 80 minutes by Owen Howe. Rovers started to build up a head of steam and gained more possession but a combination of tired legs and doughty defending meant the ball was often returned with interest for Rovers to start again.In the 87^th minute a throw from Alexander was not gathered by Rovers and the far post cross was nodded home for Gillingham and three points. A classic sucker punch.

Rovers: Alexander: Wannell©, Hill, Clampin, Jee: Steele, Rogers, Hopkinson. Alden: Western, Stamp: Subs Howe for Western (80) Baily and Hambly not used.

Rovers travelled to the picturesque venue of last year’s champions and secured three valuable points in what can be described as a workman like performance which at times lacked some of the fluidity of Saturday.

Scott was able to shuffle his pack with work commitments depriving him of Dan Western and James Clampin. He also choose to rest leading scorer dean Stamp and himself. Jake Vickers started his first game for the club and Danny Baily, James Ansell and Dave Hambly were all promoted off the bench to start.

Bobby Hopkinson produced a man of the match performance with a majestic midfield display, full of power, aggression, pacing and willing running. He’s certainly starting to make Rovers tick and even when he came in for some rough treatment and received no protection from the referee he just got on with it and played his game.

As early as the 2^nd minute Rovers created their first chance in what was to be a half of missed opportunities with Baily crossing for Luke Alden to head over. Two minutes later Baily himself went on a mazy run only to see his shot saved. In the 8^th minute again Baily fired from distance just wide. In the 12^th minute from a well worked corner Simon Hill’s cushioned header fell to Baily whose rifled shot cannoned off the cross bar,  Jake Wannell following up shot wide.

In the 21^st minute Rovers took the lead after Alden’s initial shot had been sliced clear for a corner. From that set play Baily stole in at the back post to head Rovers ahead. So the Baily show continued with a left footer flashing wide and as the half drew to an end he saw his header cleared off the line.

Into the second half and with Sutton now kicking downhill enabling their keeper to launch the ball to the edge of our area meant that our back four had to be on top form. Brilliantly marshalled by Dave Steele, he and the resolute Simon Hill stopped everything that was thrown at them. One particular hard but fair tackle from Hill certainly warmed the travelling  Willand supporters hearts.

Hill even had time to become a threat in the opposition penalty area with a thunderous header narrowly over. He also got on the end of another set piece and could not quite get the finishing touch in a goal mouth scramble. On the 60^th minute Sam Alexander made a fingertip save from a long range swirling shot as he pushed the ball over the cross bar.

The game was won in the 85^th as substitute Stamp spun sublimely having taken a chest high cross down from an energetic Hopkinson cross and fired home low into the bottom corner.

Rovers: Alexander: Wannell ©, Hill, Steele, Hambly: Baily, Jee, Hopkinson, Alden: Ansell, Vickers:  Subs Stamp for Vickers (65) S Rogers not used.