Rovers have no fewer than six of their Under-16s in the first Devon County Under-16 squad this season. Speaking after the news broke Rovers Under-16 boss Simon Fry said: “It’s testament to the quality we have in the team that we have so many lads called up for county duty.”
Despite being currently injured Kieran Fry is included in the back-up squad. The youngster hurt his hip playing for the Under-18s last month at Wincanton and faces 6-8 weeks out. We wish him well with his recovery.
An unprecedented list of unavailability has forced the club to cancel tonights Somerset Floodlit League KO Cup rearranged match at Wincanton.
Under-18s manager Clive Jones is understandably very (make that VERY) disappointed with this. He says: “It’s a problem, a big problem, and also a worry. Anybody who is a football person will know where I am coming from when I say I have actually lost sleep over this issue. We need to get everyone together as soon as possible to plot a way forward for this sort of thing must not happen, indeed cannot happen again to Willand Rovers football Club.”
The Under-18s are next in action on Monday, October 19, when they entertain Elmore who, ironically, were unable to field a side against Rovers in the Devon County U18 cup.
On a barmy October afternoon Willand Under-15s hosted visitors Bridgwater VPR to Silver Street. The Bridgwater team perhaps wary of the free scoring Willand team executed a well drilled offside line which time and again held the home team at bay. However, after an own goal started the scoring the second goal came soon after when a surging Gareth Blackmore run unselfishly set up the impressive Jacob Turner. Further goals for Whales, Blackmore, Morgan and Ayres saw the half time score read 6-0 to Willand.
The second half was largely one way traffic as the Willand team attacked at will and sliced through a tiring Bridgwater team who despite being under the cosh never let their heads drop. Oscar Walsh, Sam Ayres, Blackmore and Whales in particular were beginning to run riot with a number of stunning goals. However, the Willand back line were always well marshalled by Captain Tom Jeacock with Tucker, Borkowski and Man of the Match Matt Futcher resolute at all times.
Goals were shared out on the day between; Walsh (5), Ayres (4), Whales (3), Blackmore (3), Morgan (2), Turner and an own goal.
Rovers line-up: Ben Gubb, Hayden Tucker, Tom Jeacock (Capt), Matt Futcher, Ryan Borkowski, Jacob Turner, Aiden Harrison, Christian Whales, Chris Badcott, Oscar Walsh and Sam Ayres. Subs: Chris Badcott and Kai Morgan.
The Rovers Under-18s are in action at Wincanton on Thursday (October 15) when they travel to play the Somerset Floodlit League Cup tie that was abandoned last month after the injury to Kieran Fry.
Under-18s manager Clive Jones has asked his players to be at Silver Street at 5.30pm for a prompt departure. He is texting players and is keen that they all get the message: “Business as usual and there’s a game to be won!”
