Category: Team news

Match Report
Westbury United v Willand Rovers

Rovers made the journey up towards North Somerset for a game against a Wiltshire opposition as Westbury United temporarily called Frome Town’s Badgers Hill home for the time being as another vital fixture for both sides was on the calendar on Saturday.

Going into the game both sides had played a midweek fixture with the hosts winning at Cinderford whilst Willand etched a late draw against Yate Town.

A win for Westbury would see them become more comfortable towards the playoff zone whilst Rovers needed to climb away from the perilous drop which had been lingering the last couple of weeks

Only one change was made before the game with the injured Bailey Kempster missing out on this fixture with youngster James Watts-Barciela being called upon for his starting debut for the Rovers.

The game got underway with a bit of battling for the ball as possession would remain an important factor in trying to fight in this fixture on neutral soil as both sides went in being the away side.

James Watts-Barciela’s call-up to the starting XI was a big sign of things to come with the loanee having the first big chance of the game as he approached the box from the right-hand side in which he could have repeated his goal from Tuesday but the angle just didn’t sharpen enough to roll past Brown as it went past the post.

Rovers continued to knock on the door with Brandon Bak aiming to get himself his second of his spell at the club but just as he wanted to get a shot at goal, the linesmen raised for offside. Ryan Guppy was up next to have a crack at goal which he sent well but just lacked the angle on it to nestle into the goal.

Westbury had a little bit of a series of opportunities of their own for around 5 minutes as rovers felt under pressure from the white horsemen’s attacking presence, a solid effort to deny them any of their advances.

The final stages of the first half were very quiet and with nothing to split either side, the break was well welcomed for both sides to regroup and think of the solution to goals.

With the second half up and going the hosts started strong getting a few shots off in the first 5 of the half, but that would be soon capitalised on as the hosts went up 1-0 from a free kick from Charlie Wooding which was driven low to the keeper’s side as Burton couldn’t quite get enough on the ball to keep it out.

Westbury had another free kick around the 65th minute as a cross came into the box which was cleared away by the Rovers backline and Westbury got the ball back to try to recycle the chance but was unsuccessful.

Chance after chance for the hosts and no more than one went for them, a then promising position for Willand as a River Allen free-kick found the head of Ross Edwards whose header was not quite powerful enough and a goal line scramble was not enough for the ball to go over the line.

Harvey Dorothy eagerly looked to try and whittle a chance out for rovers and with a heavy volley flying towards the top right it just didn’t land on time and went over and out for a goal kick.

A last-ditch corner saw George Burton up inside the opposition box and as River Allen went up for the header a foul was called on the Westbury goalkeeper.

Full-time in Frome and a disappointing but narrow defeat signalling the end of 3 away fixtures in a row seeing rovers travel all over the south, it’ll be back to the training ground on Tuesday with Bishops Cleeve making the journey to The Stan Robinson Stadium on Saturday.

Westbury United v Willand Rovers

The third and final of our away trips sees David Steele’s men travel to Frome as we take on Westbury United in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South. *Westbury is currently playing their games at Frome Town’s ground Badgers Hill*

The last time out for Rovers was when we travelled up to table-topping Yate and it was a 6-goal thriller on a cold Tuesday night with the hosts taking the lead just after the first 20, debutant James Watts-Barciela pulled it back to go level. All square at the break.

Fin Rooke’s second-half opener got us back in front but the hosts didn’t give up easily with them gaining the lead back. Harvey Dorothy ensured in the incredibly late stages of the game that Willand did not walk away empty-handed with a roll past the keeper and rampant celebrations ensued from the travelling support.

Onto the game at hand now and it’s the turn of Westbury who are currently having to play at a neutral venue in Frome which in comparison to their normal home in Meadow Lane, a 7 and a half mile journey.

Despite the challenges, The White Horsemen continue to battle on through the southern league and there is certainly a competitive game this weekend to be had with the “hosts” playing in midweek also when they travelled to Cinderford and claimed three points in The Forest of Dean.

One to look out for the hosts on Saturday would have to be Stephen Hulbert who despite being a defender has managed to get 3 goals in 3 games recently and is putting in consistent performances for Westbury in difficult circumstances which has helped them in tough games of recent.

The last time out between both sides was a rather rainy day at Silver Street, despite the elements the game was on and the visitors did run out 4-0 winners on the occasion with goals from Joe Beardwell, Bevan Cross and a brace from Charlie Walton.

It might not be a full trip to Westbury, but it is still a game at the end of the day with another vital three points up for grabs. The Fun Bus is in operation for this fixture with a half-11 leave and £15 for the fare, so if you haven’t booked on… get on it!

#WeAreRovers

Yate Town v Willand Rovers

Rovers travelled to the top of the league Yate on Tuesday night in a crucial match for both sides as the hosts looked to continue their title charge while Willand was looking to recover some points to climb up the table away from the drop.

The first half had several chances going at both ends with the hosts dominating within the first five of the game. Brandon Bak went closest in the opening stages with a solid strike when Yate lost their footing at the back but it landed with the keeper on the line.

Bailey’s evening was cut short just 8 minutes in as James Watts-Barciela came on for his rovers debut following his loan move from Plymouth Parkway. The hosts would however break the deadlock in the 21st minute with Ollie Tomlinson firing past Burton to take the lead with the Yate ultras in their numbers in pandemonium at the sight of the lead.

Both Rovers and Yate battled constantly from the restart to either get 2 ahead or level the game up, the luck landed with Rovers on this occasion. Up steps the debutant Watts-Barciela who nestles a wonderful side foot into the bottom right to deny the hosts the runaway in the fixture.

Towards the end of the first half the momentum ramped up as the Bluebells felt under pressure from a Willand resurgence and several chances followed for Steele’s men to get ahead.

Half time at Lodge Road, 1-1 and the cold was starting to set but the fire was just igniting on the pitch to what would be on the horizon for both sides.

The second half got underway fantastically for Rovers as a greatly placed corner swung in for Fin Rooke to take advantage and header Rovers in front for the first time in this fixture. The hosts were shouting for a foul but Rovers got their deserved goal.

A series of free kicks followed for the hosts with none coming to much other than the shouts for a penalty from each opportunity but the ref saw no infringement of play and action continued.

The second sub of the evening came with Weston loanee Brandon Bak making way for Harvey Dorothy. This would prove to be an important sub in the long run. Going into the late stages of the game the determination to keep the lead was high.

Yate did open their account again with a well-worked ball just firing to the side of George Burton and again the home support roared in jubilation. The last 10 would be fight or flight for both sides.

However, the hosts did find their all-important goal to take the lead once again on the evening in added time with King Baidoo scoring from a corner awarded. Heads were in the hands of the players in green and black but there was still time on the watch to make something of it.

And that is exactly what came about with a one-in-a-million odds in the 103rd minute of play with Harvey Dorothy rolling past Thomas who was stunned a bit like the Rovers fans who couldn’t believe in the twilight stages of the game that a draw was maintained.

Full-time at Lodge Road, Yate Town 3-3 Willand Rovers. The lads are back in action at the weekend when we travel to Frome to play Westbury United in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO!

#WeAreRovers

Match Preview
Yate Town v Willand Rovers

It’s a night under the lights for a rescheduled fixture as Rovers travel up to South Gloucestershire to take on Yate Town in the Pitching In Southern Football League Division One South with a 7:45 pm KO at Lodge Road!

The original fixture was meant to take place in January but it was an icy morning at the host’s ground and the decision was made to postpone it to a later date. Now it’s slightly warmer (hopefully) we can get the fixture underway tomorrow night.

The Bluebells are in their second season at this level following their relegation from the Premier Division and have been battling their way throughout the campaign and with the fixture list shrinking, their return could be soon.

Manager Darren Mullings has brought the crowds up with an attractive style of play at Lodge Road and hopefully, the ground will be packed for another great fixture in the Division One South with both Bristol clubs on away fixtures of their own.

One to look out for the hosts would have to be Lloyd James who has had a fantastic career full of EFL football with stints at Southampton, Colchester, Crawley, Leyton Orient, Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers. A midfield maestro, James instils throughout the game a fear into the opposition’s minds as a solid part of the squad.

The reverse game between both sides was at Silver Street with a point a piece being shared as the goals were left late with the visitors taking the lead in the 82nd, all for in 4 minutes time Josh Baker levelling it up and the game finished 1-1.

In the middle of our 3 away games in 7 days, we salute all headed to Yate on a Tuesday night. For those who can’t make it, do follow our updates on X throughout the game as we will be covering the fixture!

#WeAreRovers

Match Preview
Didcot Town v Willand Rovers

It’s the first of three in a 7 day period where Willand get back on the road and first out of the trio is the furthest with David Steele’s men making the journey over to Oxfordshire to take on Didcot Town in the Pitching In Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO.

With a busy schedule coming up, reinforcements have been brought in to help the schedule as James Watts-Barciela arrives from Plymouth Parkway on a month’s loan to help add some attacking flair to the side by the Exeter El Matador!

Last week at the races it was Tavistock who made the journey up to Silver Street and with that came a battle for bragging rights. Rovers would put the first foot right before halftime with a Jamie Richards swoop from a corner to roll past Dearing. However, the hosts gained momentum throughout the second half with Mortimore’s near on half time equaliser and in the final 10, Plymouth Argyle loanee Harley Sneap nestled a thunderous strike into the top right corner for the lambs to take all three on the day.

Moving back onto the game in hand it is now the reverse fixture with The Railwaymen as it will be our first-ever visit to Loop Meadow. Jamie Heapy’s men came down from the Southern Premier League last season and have found themselves not with the front runners but still are a competitive side within the league with hopes to get back to where they were.

Their last game was on Tuesday night with Bishops Cleeve going cross country for a 1-0 win on the evening. One to watch for Didcot would have to be Jenson Wright who has proven a handful for any backline in this league with 7 goals and 7 assists to his name if goals need creating, he is at the hub of the operations.

The Fun Bus is in operation this weekend with the coach leaving from half 10 from Silver Street and the fare being £15, be part of Rovers history when we make the journey to OX11! Contact Mike Hawkins or our socials to book your place.

#WeAreRovers

Willand vs. Tavistock

Latin is the linguistic equivalent of that vintage record you never knew you needed—a relic from a bygone era that still manages to add a sophisticated spin to modern tunes. Despite its ancient origins, Latin continues to pepper our everyday language, offering succinct phrases like et cetera, vice versa, and ad hoc that have withstood the test of time. These expressions provide a kind of verbal efficiency that newer, trendier words sometimes struggle to deliver.

Yet, if you ask why the younger generation seems to bypass Latin as a foundational element of their vocabulary, the answer is as layered as a well-crafted pun. For starters, the educational spotlight has shifted dramatically. Where once the study of Latin was a rite of passage in classical education, today’s curriculum is dominated by technology, coding, and an ever-expanding digital lexicon. Instead of spending hours parsing ancient texts and conjugating verbs, students are now busy mastering the art of emoji communication and crafting the perfect tweet. Consequently, Latin has become the unsung guest at the modern language party—present but rarely acknowledged.

Moreover, the pace of modern communication hardly leaves room for the measured elegance of Latin. In a world where brevity is king and every character counts, the elaborate structure of Latin feels like an overqualified candidate in a market that demands rapid-fire clarity. The nuance and precision of Latin expressions, once celebrated for their intellectual heft, now risk being overshadowed by the immediacy of digital shorthand. It’s as if Latin is the quietly brilliant friend whose elaborate metaphors go unnoticed amidst the rapid-fire banter of social media.

There’s also a cultural component at play. Today’s language is a living, breathing organism, constantly evolving through memes, slang, and creative wordplay. The impersonal detachment of a language that hasn’t evolved in two millennia can seem, well, a bit too formal for the modern conversationalist. The idea of invoking carpe diem or caveat emptor might strike some as unnecessarily grandiose in an era when most people are content with the efficiency of saying, “Seize the day!” or “Buyer beware!” in plain, modern English.

Despite these shifts, Latin’s legacy is far from extinct. Its influence is woven into the very fabric of our vocabulary, quietly underpinning countless terms in fields as diverse as law, medicine, and academia. Even if the younger generation doesn’t start their language journey with Latin, they still benefit from its distilled clarity and intellectual rigor—often without even realising it. In a sense, Latin serves as a hidden component in our linguistic formula, a timeless spice that infuses our words with a touch of classical sophistication.

So while Latin may not be the first stop on the journey of modern communication, its enduring charm remains evident. It stands as a testament to the power of language to evolve while still holding on to the elegance of its past—a quietly witty reminder that sometimes, the best words are those that have gracefully aged over time.

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David Steele welcomed new signing Brandon Bak to the Willand squad, and the Weston loanee made his debut in the starting eleven, which also saw a return for Harvey Dorothy.

With both Willand and opponents Tavistock having at least one eye on the bottom of the table, it was a familiar story in unfamiliar conditions as Willand kicked off in unseasonably warm conditions against a team that included Dearing and Mortimore, two names synonymous with Willand’s league triumph in 2019, alongside alumni Jack Winsor and Harvey Sneap.

The familiarity continued to frame the game as both teams seemed content to trade cautious passes rather than create any genuine chances, the flow of the game not being helped by a number of necessary interludes featring trainers from both sides.

The game came to life in the 25th minute, as only a scrambling clearance off the line by Burton, prevented the visitors taking the lead when a  Mortimore cross was met by a looping Harrison header.

Tavistock were again denied by the Willand Number One on the 40th minute, clawing away a Prynn header that seemed destined for the top corner.

As the half closed, it was Willand who took the lead; a well-delivered corner from Allen swung into a crowded penalty area and was met by Jamie Richards, who flicked the ball past Dearing.

Familiarity reared its expected head within minutes, though, Prynn chopping his shot onto the bar, before Mortimore fired the rebound past Burton for his first goal for his new team to send the tema into half-time level.

Half Time – Willand 1 – Tavistock 1

Familiar with familiarity?

While the home team remained competitive in the first half, it was Tavistock that controlled the second period, and the visitors came out fast, nearly taking the lead within the first few minutes, as the Willand defence was momentarily caught off guard by a simple ball played over the top. Burton again came to the rescue of his defence as he pushed a dangerous shot around the post.

Tavistock remained in control as the half continued, but it was Willand who conjured up an excellent chance in the 78th minute; good work from Rooke saw the ball land at the feet of Hewitt, whose looping shot hit the top of the bar before the rebound was smashed high and wide by Camillo.

Naturally enough it was left to a familiar face to seal the game for the visitors as former Willand player Sneap scored the winning goal, and with some aplomb. As theTavistock substitute stepped onto a loose ball he unleashed a stunning strike that hit the back of the net before the Willand keeper could react.

David Steele eluded after the game that there are no easy answers to turning the season around but, once again, I feel that we can turn to Latin for some direction.

Audaces fortuna iuvat

Vincit qui se vincit

Full Time – Willand 1 – Tavistock 2

Magic Numbers for 22.2.25 were 11, 15, 18 & 19. There was no winner, so next week’s jackpot will be £400.

 

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Match Preview
Willand Rovers v Tavistock

Weather permitting, there is a Devon Derby to be played out this weekend as the Lambs make their way to the Stan Robinson Stadium in the Pitching In Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO!

Last weekend it was the weather who beat us as our game against Shaftesbury had to be chalked off with the pitch not feeling too well. But this has not stopped the momentum as preparations have been continuing as the fixture list shrinks down with the race towards the end of the season continuing.

On the squad news side of things, the club are delighted to announce the loan signing of creative striker Brandon Bak who joins Rovers until the final whistle, Bak is a rising talent and will be an asset to have for the final push. We thank Scott Bartlett and Rogers for their assistance with the loan!

Onto the game at hand, Stuart Henderson’s Lambs make the journey through the county this weekend and are ramping up for another county clash with the lower temperatures finally making it’s departure, the heat still remains on the pitch with the title of Devon Pride on the line.

Last weekend for Tavistock was a home clash with Mousehole which despite the conditions across the South West being less desirable than wanted, a game was still on down at Langsford Park with it being a point a piece for both sides with the tie ending goalless.

One to look out for in the Red and Black (potentially blue and white) would be Jack Winsor who came through the ranks at Torquay United as a youngster with lots of potential and even had a spell at Silver Street before heading to North Devon to join Bideford for 18 months. Only recently has he joined the Lambs but has taken like a duck to water in recent performances.

Earlier on in the season it was just the one goal which separated Rovers and Tavistock with Harvey Dorothy firing past Dearing ensuring that Steele’s men found three points on the road on a bitter afternoon in West Devon.

Though not a traditional Devon Derby like Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City or Bideford v Barnstaple, any in county fixture is a chance to get one over another but at the same time to share a common goal of pride and spirit for the non league game in our part of the world. Join us this weekend for another massive game at the Street, come on Rovers!

#WeAreRovers