Category: Team news

Match Preview: Falmouth Town v Willand Rovers

Rovers’ first game of 2026 sees a trip down to Bickland Park where we take on the F-Troop from Falmouth Town in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO.

Last time out for Rovers it was our final game of the year as we welcomed our Devon counterparts Brixham to Silver Street where both sides saw a gigantic six-pointer and a bumper crowd formed as Willand found a vital win in their battle to survive the drop from Charlie Bateson who opens his account for the All-Whites.

But the focus now flips onto Falmouth who are another side floating around the bottom half of the table and are having a tough season. Andy Westgarth’s men have been turning around their form recently but at the start of the season, it had looked like Town would have been in for a long campaign.

The F-Troop’s festive fixture was a trip to Trungle Parc where it remained goalless but certainly not without tension as both West Cornwall sides grinded it out to gain a point on the afternoon with it setting up Saturday’s fixture for both sides as a must-win to stabilise.

One to watch for the hosts this weekend would have to be Rubin Wilson who over the last few weeks has found a rich vein in goal scoring for Falmouth and throughout his spell at Bickland Park has proven to be a key part in the cogs with his eye for goal poaching nets all across the South.

The last time both sides met in the Southern League was almost a year to the day. On New Year’s Day of 2025, the fireworks may have gone off at midnight but the goals did not go in as the conditions were challenging and both sides held up to see it out goalless.

The Fun Bus is in operation for this fixture as we make a rare trip southbound to our neighbouring county. We depart from Silver Street at 10:30, with the fare at £15pp. Do contact Mike Hawkins or the club’s socials to book your place.

The festivities are over, and it’s time to go back to work. The Grinch socks have ended. Rovers are back in action as we hope 2026 will be one to remember for all those connected with the club and around it. Let’s start it strong.

Match Preview: Willand Rovers v Brixham AFC

Rovers’ final game of 2025 sees a Devon Derby take place at the Street with Brixham making the trip up from the English Riviera to the fields of Mid Devon in our “boxing day” fixture in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO.

Last time out for Rovers it was a trip to Gloucestershire to take on Bishops Cleeve. Willand started the strongest as Bailey Kempster fired into the bottom right within the first ten minutes but the hosts scrambled it over the line just a couple of minutes later through Jake Lee. The score was settled early in the second half with Curtis Jemmitt-Hudson ensuring the points stayed at base.

But the focus now flips onto Brixham who are in their inaugural Southern League campaign after beating Clevedon Town in the playoffs to step up into the division but it’s not been a dream start for them as they sit second bottom, equal on points to Rovers. However, for the South Devon side, it’s a new adventure and they are relishing every moment at the level.

While this week’s visitors were not in action at the weekend, their last game saw the Fishermen travel to Shaftesbury where the hosts made sure not to let any points jump out of the net on the day with goals from Harvey Bradbury and Toby Holmes providing the sting on Brixham.

One to watch for the blue army would have to be Charlie Johansen who has proven to be very important in decisive games where late winners and points have stemmed from his efforts. But that’s not the only man in the Brixham ranks to watch out for, former Rovers man Finn Herbert also now plays for the Fishermen and will be back to play against us. The bright youngster brought some great attacking threat in games and pace in abundance.

Despite never playing them at southern league level, we do have a previous matchup with Brixham as last season in our FA Cup campaign it was a 1-0 win as Fin Rooke’s 23rd minute strike sealed our place in the Second Qualifying round over this weekend’s visitors.

It is the last chance to catch Rovers in action in 2025 so head on down to Silver Street to witness a Devon Derby this festive season. The bar’s open from 1 so get your glasses filled and get behind the lads!

#WeAreRovers #COYR

The calendar continues to flick through towards the new year as Rovers finish their road trip this festive season with a visit up to the famous Racecourse of Cheltenham to take on Bishops Cleeve in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm kick off at Kayte Lane.

Last time out for Willand it was a trip to The Creek to take on Bristol Manor Farm where new additions and confidence from the week before merged to create a point on the road as Ryan Guppy’s late header at the back post rolled past Crawford to ensure that for the first time since 2016, rovers would harvest a point on the farm’s soil.

But now the attention turns to Bishops Cleeve who are batting for promotion once again this season with the Mitres currently sitting just outside the playoffs before Saturday. Paul Collicutt’s men have been in the division for several seasons and they’ll be hoping this time round is their ticket out to the Premier Division.

In Cleeve’s previous game on Saturday, it was a goal fest at Plain Ham as the points were shared in a 4-4 draw. Larkhall doubled their lead, but Cleeve clawed back three but it was the hosts who put the nail in the coffin in the 96th minute. Both teams go in with a draw and will be hunting for all three over the weekend.

One to watch for the hosts would have to be Ben McLean who has been a big part of Cleeve’s push up the table this season. The Midfielder has brought goal scoring threat to the Mighty Mitres with his eye for goal being wider than ever during the Christmas period.

The last time both sides met was in the FA Trophy back in September for the second season running. It was Cleeve who progressed in the competition with the scores level at the final whistle but Rovers narrowly lost out on penalties on the afternoon.

The fun bus is once again in operation for this fixture, but it’ll be the festive bus, departing at 11:30 from Silver Street, with a fare of £15. Christmas Jumpers are advised as the bus will be transformed into a willand winter wonderland for the day!

This is the final fixture before Christmas. We will be back in action against Brixham on the 27th December, so this is certainly one you cannot miss. Onwards and upwards!

Willand Rovers are delighted to announce that popular striker Fin Rooke has re-joined the club.

Fin’s connection with Willand stretches back to the summer of 2021, when he first joined from Honiton Town and featured during the 2021/22 season. He re-signed for the club ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, quickly becoming a valued member of the squad thanks to his professionalism, work ethic, and reliable performances.

Fin enjoyed an outstanding season with Willand last year, earning the club’s Young Player of the Season award after a series of mature, productive performances in which he reached double figures in both goals and assists. His form attracted interest from higher up the pyramid, and he departed in the summer to challenge himself at Taunton Town.

Despite being introduced to Taunton supporters as a significant addition, competition for places in their forward line reduced opportunities for regular football. A subsequent move to Tiverton Town offered fresh hope, but Fin was frequently deployed away from his natural striker role, limiting his ability to contribute as the penalty-box poacher he is known to be. Seeking consistent minutes in his preferred position, Fin has opted to return to Silver Street — an environment where he has previously thrived.

We are delighted to welcome Fin back to Willand Rovers and look forward to seeing him continue his development and contribute positively to the team once again.

Welcome back to the Willand Rovers Family, Fin 💚

Willand Rovers are delighted to confirm that winger Cameron Allen has signed for the club on a permanent deal, following an initial spell on dual registration from Corsham Town.

Allen made his debut for the club in the away fixture at Didcot Town, where he delivered a strong performance on the right flank. His direct approach, intensity, and willingness to take on defenders quickly earned the appreciation of the travelling Willand supporters. After settling quickly into the squad and environment, Cam has decided to commit to spending the remainder of the season at Silver Street.

Now 26, Cam’s footballing development began at the Bristol City academy before he moved across the city to join Bristol Rovers. During his time with the Gas, he gained valuable senior experience through loan spells at Mangotsfield United, Tiverton Town, Dorchester Town, and Frome Town.

Since his departure from Rovers, he has continued to build a solid career across the Southern League, Western League, and Hellenic League, representing Melksham Town, Swindon Supermarine, Wincanton Town, Clevedon Town, and Shepton Mallet. Notably, he played an important role in Shepton Mallet’s Les Phillips Cup success in 2023, contributing both experience and consistency during their campaign.

Willand Rovers are pleased to secure Cam’s services for the remainder of the season and look forward to seeing him continue to make a positive impact in a Willand shirt.

Welcome to the Willand Rovers Family, Cameron 💚

Willand Rovers are delighted to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Rhomey Ashby-Hammond following an impressive debut performance on Saturday.

Rhomey arrives at Silver Street regarded as an exciting young goalkeeper with strong potential and a clear desire to lock down the number one shirt.

Already armed with valuable Southern League experience, having previously featured for Gosport Borough, and has also gained senior minutes with Alton Town and Street FC, Rhomey will be looking at continuing his development at senior level with the Rovers. The 19 year old shot-stopper is part of a long line of talented footballers to come out of the football programme at Millfield School, which is recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent schools for sport.

Rhomey has the benefit of coming from a strong footballing family and will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of his brothers, Taye Ashby-Hammond and Luca Ashby-Hammond, both of whom have progressed through the professional academy system at Fulham and gained experience in the English Football League. The latter of the two is currently turning out for local League One side, Plymouth Argyle.

Everyone at Willand Rovers is pleased to welcome Rhomey to the club and looks forward to working with him as he continues his development.

Welcome to the Willand Rovers Family, Rhomey 💚

Willand Rovers are pleased to announce the return of central defender Josh Ford, who returns to Silver Street from Western League side Bridgwater United.

Ford is already a familiar face to Willand supporters. He previously represented the club during the 2023/24 season, making 20 appearances and scoring once, providing steady performances and a strong presence at the heart of the defence.

Having begun his career with Queens Park Rangers, Ford has gone on to build a solid non-league résumé. He has featured for Melksham Town, Bristol Manor Farm, Paulton Rovers, Frome Town, Larkhall Athletic, and Yate Town — where he captained the side to promotion to the Southern Premier League in 2019. Across these clubs he has earned a reputation as a committed, no-nonsense defender and a dependable organiser at the back.

Ford’s experience and calm influence will add strength to the squad and offer valuable support to the club’s younger defenders as they continue their development.

We’re delighted to welcome Fordy back to Silver Street and look forward to seeing him in a Willand shirt once again.