Category: Team news

Against a Bridgwater team who they had beaten 19-0 two weeks previously this cup tie proved rather more problematic for the unbeaten Rovers U15’s.

Bridgwater took the lead within two minutes before the clinical Sam Ayres equalized twice, all within the first 10 minutes!

The remainder of the first half belonged to winger Christian Whales who scored four to take the Willand team to a 6-2 interval lead.

The second half saw a similar pattern with Willand scoring great team goals only to give sloppy goals away at the other end leaving goalkeeper Ben Gubb exposed at regular intervals. Sam Ayres took his match tally to an impressive five goals, Oscar Walsh pocketed three, Josh Herbert a brace and Kai Morgan one to add to the four for Christian Whales which made the final score line 15-5 in favour of Rovers and onto the second round of the cup.

Rovers: Ben Gubb, Hayden Tucker, Tom Jeacock (Capt), Oli Billings, Josh Herbert, Christian Whales, Chris Badcott, Oscar Walsh and Sam Ayres, Ryan Borkowski and Kai Morgan.

Subs: Jacob Tucker and Gareth Blackmore

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.