Category: Team news

Rovers Under-15s launch home time with a super seven success

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The new Rovers U15’s team made their home debuts today with a game against a Falcons B team from Norton Fitzwarren. An impeccable minutes silence was observed before the game in memory of Oliver Croker by all those present. A very competitive start to the game ensured that the Falcons were always a threat but the deadline was broken twelve minutes into the game when debutant Josh Herbert fired impressively home from just inside the box to settle the Rovers nerves. Herbert and Captain Tom Jeacock were now starting to gain the centre of midfield and five minutes later Herbert’s surge into the Falcons box saw him finish again. The second goal cushion allowed the creativity of Aiden Harrison and Christian Whales to start feeding front runners Sam Ayres and Oscar Walsh at regular intervals which lead to two further goals being scored from Walsh and a hat trick completing goal from Man of the Match Josh Herbert. Rovers went into the interval 4-0.

Subs Ryan Borkowski and Kai Morgan were both introduced and Tiverton’s Morgan made the second impressive debut of the day with a number of electric bursts of pace down the right. The Rovers backline of Tucker, Borkowski, Billings, Futcher and goalkeeper Ben Gubb were having to deal with increasing levels of threat from the visitors who were getting on top. However, as in the first half it was another goal from Herbert which changed the momentum of the game. A further two second half goals from Jeacock and Morgan saw Willand into a 7-0 lead until the Falcons picked up a well deserved consolation two minutes from the end to make the final score 7-1 to Rovers.

Goals were shared out on the day between Herbert 4, Morgan 1, Walsh 1, and Jeacock 1

The Willand Line up: Ben Gubb, Hayden Tucker, Tom Jeacock (Capt), Matt Futcher, Oli Billings, Josh Herbert, Aiden Harrison, Christian Whales, Chris Badcott, Oscar Walsh and Sam Ayres. Subs: Ryan Borkowski and Kai Morgan.

Tony BadcottRovers Under-15s

Russell Jee aiming to sign new striker in time for Willand Rovers’ match against Bristol Manor Farm

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Willand Rovers player-manager Russell Jee says he should have a new striker in place for Saturday’s game against Bristol Manor Farm.

Rovers, who recorded a 2-1 win over Bitton in their last game, have been looking to add to their attacking options in their bid to climb up the Western League Premier Division table.

They have found the net just seven times in seven games this term, which is the worse than any side in the top half of the table. However, Jee is confident that will change when his new striker arrives.

“He is playing a couple of leagues further down, but he could turn out to be a little gem,” said Jee. “I’m really excited to see him play.

“He is not the biggest of lads in stature, but he is tricky striker. He has got good movement and he will score goals.”

Willand face a daunting fixture this weekend though when they visit Bristol Manor Farm. They have score 18 goals in four games at home this season, more than any other side in the division, and Jee says Willand will have to show the same defensive resolve they displayed against Bitton if they are to get a result.

“Anything less than that and we will probably get beat up there,” he said. “They are the highest scoring team in the league and they play good, attractive, passing football. They will be tough to beat, especially up there.

“They have got a good team and a very good manager. They have got aspirations of playing in the league higher and they do everything properly. Our boys will be under no illusions. They know what to expect.”

However, Willand do have the chance to hand out the first defeat of the season on Bristol Manor Farm.

U18’s beat WELLINGTON 7-2

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GAME 1.

photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/134332763@N08/shares/414aMU

Rovers Under-18s made a promising start to life in the Somerset Floodlit League when they drew 1-1 with visiting Street.
League secretary Richard Sloane was at Silver Street to see the game and the following appeared on the full-time website that carries all the league news and result:

“The league secretary visited the Silver Street ground of Willand Rovers to see a great display of football for newly created sides Willand Rovers and Street FC”
As for the action – it was a terrific encounter with Rovers taking a late first half lead through their youngest player – Connor Pengelly. Last season’s Manager’s Player of the Year, was on hand to score at the Road End.
With Harrison Burton unable to play owing to the seven day ruling regarding transfers – the glovesman has been transferred from neighbours Cullompton Rangers – it meant a shift between the post for Josh Mclean and he was as solid and commanding as ever.
The defensive line was solid with the central pairing of Dan Foweraker and the classy Tom Badcott coping admirably with the best that Street could offer.
Street, for their part, contributed much to the game and few present would deny that they were worthy of a share of the spoils and they got what their several shift deserved with a leveller midway through the second half.
So honours even and manager Clive Jones was delighted post match.

He said: “That was a terrific first outing. I thought the lads did very well. The game ebbed and flowed and both sides will probably come out of those 90 minutes feeling they got what they deserved for their efforts. If this is the standard of the league then bring it on! It was most enjoyable and that’s what I ask, as ever, of my players – that they enjoy what they are doing.”
The Under-18s boss did however, offer words of caution when he added: “If I had one gripe it was that too many of our players clearly had nothing left in the tank in the closing stages and I had to tell them past match that I don’t mind them playing Sundays for other teams – that’s fine – who am I to stop youngsters playing as much football as they can. But what I do mind is when lads think they can play both days and give their all to both causes because that simply does not happen. I did tell the lads that if they are going to play Sundays’ before a Rovers game then I need to know as I am clearly going to have to get others signed on to cover for such situations. There’s plenty of lads out there asking to come and join us and for ever player that does decide a Sunday game is more important than a Monday game, there’ll be a player who rests on Sunday and wants to play Monday night.”

Next up for the Under-18s is a two-games-in-two days commitment which is far fro ideal – Elmore in the Devon County Cup on Sunday (11am) at Silver Street and then, on Monday evening (7.30pm) its Wellington who are the visitors to Silver Street.

Ten more for the flying Under-15s

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Moors 0   ROVERS 10

In a keenly contested Mid Devon Derby Willand came out on top but not without finding it difficult to unpick a resolute Moors defence until after the twenty minute mark. In fact it was the Tiverton based team who had the closest chance to open the scoring within the first minute but stand in goalie Jacob Turner saved well with his legs. The Willand team were without four players from the previous week and had only the bare X1 without a recognised goalkeeper due to the illness of Ben Gubb. However, debutant Harry Taylor slotted in seamlessly into the left back berth sniffing out any hope from the opposition flanksman. Chris Badcott and Aiden Harrison started to open up the game from the middle of the park and Willand grabbed the lead to settle a few nerves on twenty minutes when Badcott drilled home an unstoppable drive from outside the box. A further two goals came before the interval from Oscar Walsh and the electric Sam Ayres to give Willand a 3-0 half time lead.

The second half was all one way traffic with a further seven goals the pick of the bunch being an outstanding run and finish from Cullompton’s Gareth Blackmore. Other opportunities were regularly created by the dead ball delivery of Christian Whales who created havoc with his range of set pieces.

Any danger was sniffed out by Futcher, Tucker and Turner in the heart of the defence who were ably assisted by Ryan Borkowski who also had an excellent day.

Goals were shared out on the day between Ayres 4, Badcott 2, Walsh 2, Blackmore 1, and Whales 1

The Willand Line up: Hayden Tucker. Jacob Turner, Harry Taylor, Matt Futcher, Ryan Borkowski, Gareth Blackmore, Aiden Harrison, Christian Whales, Chris Badcott, Oscar Walsh and Sam Ayres.

Jee hopes Bitton win will be Rovers’ rallying point

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Russell Jee hopes Willand Rovers’ superb 1-0 win away to Bitton on Tuesday night will act as a turning point in the season.

Rovers have endured a tricky start to the campaign so far, having only won one and lost four of their first six league games heading in Tuesday’s clash.

But Ryan Guppy’s 25-yard first-half free-kick – followed by some stout backs-to-the-wall defending – saw Jee’s side leave South Gloucestershire with all three points.

Rovers are not in action this weekend, but the manager hopes that win will have a galvanising effect on his players for next week’s trip to high-flying Bristol Manor Farm.

“Hopefully it is a turning point and we will kick on. We have Manor Farm next week and they are beating everybody at the minute,” Jee said.

“It is another tough, tough test – they don’t get any easier.

The lads have the weekend off, so hopefully they can have a break, recharge their batteries and get ready for the next game.

“We have just taken four points out of Odd Down, Melksham and Bitton with two of them away from home, and I would have taken that. Those three will finish in the top six.”

Heading into Tuesday’s match, the odds looked stacked against Rovers following a 2-1 defeat to Odd Down on Saturday. Rovers had taken the lead in that game through Angus Wilson before the hosts stormed back to claim the points.

So when Willand took the lead against Bitton, on Tuesday, through Guppy’s free-kick, they were still a long way from victory. But some heroic defending left the previously-undefeated side unable to level, handing Rovers an invaluable win.

Jee said: “To be honest, it was a fair result. I think we deserved to win. From one to 11 they were superb on the night. I think we could still be playing now and we wouldn’t have conceded.

“Honestly, we stuck bodies on the line at every opportunity, we blocked shots from every angle and just played really well.

“It is the first time Bitton have lost and it is the first time they haven’t scored two in a game, so to keep a clean sheet was fantastic.

“We had other chances as well, but the most pleasing thing was the way that we hung in there.

“They are a big, strong outfit and play with three up top, they play their pitch well and cause a lot of teams problems at home – not many teams go there and win.

“We had a bit of lady luck but the sheer workrate was superb – the lads were spot on.”

Jee continued: “I would rather have a game this weekend, although we do have a few niggling injuries to get over so it’s not a bad thing.

“Joe Curtis has a thigh injury and Tom McHale’s foot is a bit sore after rolling his ankle, so we have a bit of time now to recover.”

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