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Rovers made the trip up the M5 to Gloucestershire at the weekend as our latest test in the Southern Football League Division One South consisted of the Mighty Mitres of Kayte Lane. Cleeve sat just outside the playoffs before kick-off, coming off the back of a 4-4 draw at Larkhall whilst Willand’s point at Manor Farm looked promising going forward.

Underway at 3, the game started well with both sides looking to carve out solid chances with the gas firmly on the pedal. Cleeve broke first from a corner with Ashby-Hammond providing an important save to recover a potential banana peel start for Rovers.

It didn’t take long for Bailey Kempster to get off the mark: in the 9th minute, a defensive error from the Cleeve defender gave Guppy the confidence to stand on and send it to Bailey, who ran into the box and slotted comfortably into the right-hand corner to take the lead for us.

However, just 2 minutes later, Cleeve managed to level it up. Bateson lost the ball on the edge of the box, which let the hosts regain possession and build on their confidence, with it swinging in from the right-hand side for a half-volley header. Ashby Hammond was vulnerable and unable to recover, with Jake Lee just bundling it over.

From there it would be the hosts who created a tsunami of chances which with a few bits of creativity could’ve troubled Rovers but mostly hit the fencing rather than ripping the net on those occasions. Rovers would have a couple of bites at goal ourselves including a free kick or two but nothing that shocked the hosts’ keeper.

Half-time and a big push was needed from Rovers with the hosts pushing Willand incredibly hard throughout the first 45, the break was complete and right back underway by 10 past 4. By then a few steam trains had gone past as well.

The second half, like the first, had Rovers thinking fast with Cleeve digging their heels in. Guppy got pushed off the ball with the mitres breaking away from the right-hand side, Ashby-Hammond was required once again to produce some heroics to not let the hosts take the lead with Cartwright coming in for backup.

Rovers potentially could’ve taken the lead with Bateson going through on goal from the right-hand side, however, the keeper dashed off his line to swipe the ball and Charlie away from danger. Responses were coming but just not rattling the netting.

The turning point in the fixture came in the 64th minute as Curtis Jemmett-Hudson took the lead for Cleeve. From the right-hand side, a dangerous cross winged its way where Josh Ford tried to header it away but it landed in the path of another Cleeve player who sent it back in for Hudson to strongly header and secure the hosts’ points.

Willand continued not let the scoreline get in their heads and played like it was 0-0 with several opportunities coming our way from corners but no recipients to add to the scoresheet on those occasions. It was looking like another tough afternoon for the lads.

Cleeve still wanted more goals in the half too, acrobatics and near misses came Rhomey’s way. Rovers had one big bite left to chew out of the Cleeve backline as the hosts completely scrambled and looked uneasy with Willand throwing the kitchen sink at goal but no leveller could be found and the man in the middle sounded the whistle.

Against a top side in the division, Willand gave a good account of themselves but Cleeve proved why they had that label as one of the promotion favourites and gaining another three points which puts them 9 points apart from Exmouth. Rovers however will be in the relegation zone on Christmas Day by being third bottom.

Willand next take on Brixham in a Devon Derby in our “Boxing Day” fixture which takes place this season on Saturday 27th December, the real fight will be the relegation clash but the action in the Southern League never fails to deliver.

Willand Rovers Football Club are looking to welcome a paid First Team Physiotherapist to the club as we continue to support the health, welfare, and performance of our players.

The role involves working closely with the first-team management and players, attending home and away matches, and providing pitch-side injury assessment and treatment, along with support in the dressing room on matchdays.

Applicants should ideally hold a BSc in Physiotherapy or Sports Therapy, be a chartered or registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council, and have a valid First Aid qualification. Where needed, the club can offer support to help candidates achieve any additional requirements necessary to meet Southern Football League standards.

Willand Rovers currently compete at Step 4 of the National League System and are proud of our reputation as a friendly, inclusive, and welcoming club, both on and off the pitch.

If you’re interested in joining the Willand Rovers family, we’d love to hear from you. Please email your CV and a short personal profile to domclarkwillandrovers@gmail.com

Willand travelled up the M5 to The Creek in what was set to be another important fixture in the Rovers battle to push out of the relegation zone and to build on the previous week’s work as the new-look squad continues to gel. The arrival of Cameron Allen from Corsham Town and the return of Fin Rooke from Tiverton Town provided some attacking support for Rovers with a handful of departures in the week creating opportunities for new blood in the squad. Also into the squad came centre half Josh Ford from Bridgwater United, who could bring some experience to help guide a younger looking rovers side. On a slightly mild day in Bristol, the stage was set and we got bang on the hour.

The first half brought the rovers many opportunities, within the first five, it was Iseguan on the left-hand side looking to find Hewitt who had found space adjacent. Unfortunately, a bit too much force on the ball led to it going over the fence. Rovers continued to knock on the door creating threatening chances which could break the deadlock however Crawford was in his top game and denied us on several occasions. Manor Farm also had their fair share of chances denied too, both sides at this point were relatively equal within their goal scoring opportunities but for the time being Rovers seem to have been on top. The Farmy Army continued to rally behind the hosts as the game went further into the first half.

Just before the break, there was a big shout for a penalty. Rooke had been brought down directly in the box after Hewitt had threaded it. Hodgson lunged in late and despite the shouts of the travelling support, the decision was made to play on and whistle up for half-time. The second half would continue off like the first, another shout for a penalty. Guppy ran down the left-hand side and looked to provide Rooke the ball once again but had been pulled down by Johnson. Once again the decision is to play on and for a second time, Rovers are left stunned.

The hosts however knew that their first half efforts were not up to the normal standards and looked to put that right throughout the second half. First going close by a counter attack but slotting to the right post of Ashby-Hammond. Then over the bar from some distance. But they’d get their opener eventually in the 64th minute with Johnson firing into the box, then it was laid off to Nicholls who finds Tunkara who weaves a shot right into the box for Croome to acrobatically place it in to take the lead to Rovers dismay who are left scrambling to get back to pluck the gap created.

Changes were needed, Bateson & Sá made way for Dorothy & Allen to freshen up the squad and look to find a response in the late stages of the second half. Rovers had a free kick awarded in a decent position just moments after the subs, Ford nearly headed at the back post but his chance to get in front was stopped well by the Farm backline. In the 81st minute, Rovers were rewarded as Ryan Guppy levelled up the scoring for all our hard efforts as from a corner, Guppy gets himself high enough and times his header well and Crawford is puzzled enough to not read the decision and leaks through the ball into the back of the net. Game on.

Hewitt & Guppy made way for Sneap & Jackson in the final 10 as both sides looked for that all-important goal to seal all three on the day, Rovers seemed the more determined side to get that breakthrough but Manor Farm held up their guard for the rest of the game whilst producing a couple of final chances of their own. Overall, both sides couldn’t deal one final blow and the points were shared at the Creek. For Rovers though, this was their first point at Manor Farm since 2016, making a once-bogey pitch a slightly more positive hunting ground. Full-time at The Creek, Bristol Manor Farm 1-1 Willand Rovers.

Rovers will be hoping it’s game on this weekend as they travel up the M5 to the Cider city in Bristol where we may have to dig our pitchforks in at the Creek as we take on Manor Farm in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO

On Wednesday, we were due to play Mousehole in a rearranged fixture which was called off due to a traffic incident on the motorway. This time round, though, it had to be called off after Bram brought his wrath of rain down on the Street, which, despite the incredible effort of our grounds staff, couldn’t be beaten in time for kick-off.

But the focus now shifts onto Manor Farm where Rovers will be looking for revenge from opening day where we fell short on the afternoon. Since then, overhauls in both squads have brought around some uncertainty in which way this fixture could swing.

Willand come into this one off the back of a narrow defeat against Winchester whilst Manor Farm’s last result was an important 2-1 win against Bashley where BMF locked off mid-table to the teams at the rear end of the Division One South.

One to certainly watch out for if you plan to make the trip northbound of junction 27 would have to be Ryan Cainey. Arriving from Taunton back in October, he has been a crucial part of the puzzle to Manor Farm’s turnaround from the start of the season as he previously helped Cribbs excel in the division.

Speaking of making the journey, if you’d like to join us on the Fun Bus on Saturday, we have plenty of spaces available. The fare will be £15, with departure time from the front of Silver Street being 12:30 pm. To join us, contact our social pages or Mike Hawkins to secure your seat.

With several new faces in the squad and fortunes changing, this is certainly not a fixture to miss. But the thrills of the Div One South continue on the road this weekend and hopefully it’ll be a harvest of three points for Rovers!

Rovers are back in action on Wednesday night with the Seagulls swooping in from way out west up to a potentially wet Silver Street in a rearranged fixture in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 7:30 pm KO

Last time out for Willand it was a trip to the City Ground, not quite the Nottingham Forest venue but to Winchester City where new signings Rhomey Ashby-Hammond & Charlie Bateson both debuted in a narrow defeat for the Rovers, the hosts broke early but Ryan Guppy added to his tally for the season with a poacher to level it up. However, it would be Winchester who sealed all three points on the afternoon with Rovers improving week on week.

This time round it is Mousehole who by this point last season we would’ve played them three times. Jake Ash’s men have had an alright start to the season with the Seagulls sitting in 11th going into Wednesday’s fixture and off the back of a 0-0 draw at Melksham on Saturday.

This game had previously been scheduled to take place during October half-term, but a few traffic issues put a halt to that with the sides unable to play it out due to a blockage on the M5. However, the traffic shouldn’t stop us this time round fingers crossed.

One to look out for once they drive out of their Royal Road would have to be Liam Prynn who made the switch from Langsford Park to Trungle Parc in one of the hottest summer moves in the league, Prynn is well known amongst the leagues for his goal-scoring ability and brings plenty of experience to a developing Mousehole side.

Both sides met back in March at the Street with Rovers grabbing vital three points to distance ourselves from the relegation battle with Brandon Bak bagging a brace and Finn Rooke providing the goods to ensure Willand battled another day and also a clean sheet for George Burton.

Willand Wednesday’s produce some of the more exciting results of the season, it is always a great chance to break up the midweek blues and get a football fix and this fixture is no exception. Join us for another thrilling Southern League battle!

Mousehole AFC v Willand Rovers

The FA Cup magic continues this weekend as this Saturday we travel way out west to Mousehole AFC in the preliminary round of the FA Cup for a chance to make it to the qualifying stages of the competition.

It’s not our first visit to Cornwall this week as on Tuesday night it was our first awayday with Rovers travelling down to The Seagulls’ neighbours Helston Athletic where a 2-2 draw was the result after 90 minutes with the Wizard of Willand (Harvey Dorothy) scoring another brace for the side. Rovers looked the stronger side in the game with two penalties to put us in the lead and will certainly be worked on in the buildup to Saturday’s fixture.

Speaking after the game, David Steele said that he was delighted with the performance from the lads but he couldn’t deny that the lads were disappointed with the result on the evening. With the break in the league this weekend it’ll give Rovers time to regroup and have a different focus with FA Cup action.

This weekend opponents are play off pushing Mousehole who have started the season well with 2 wins already on the board in the Division One South over two of the league favourites in Evesham United and Cribbs. The Seagulls already had a bye into the preliminary round so this will be their first game of the competition.

One to look out for the Cornish side is new signing Ross Derham who has come from a background of being involved in football freestyle and lower league football in London but has made the move south to pursue his career with him already getting off the mark for Mousehole at Cribbs on Tuesday night.

The last time both sides met was a 2-1 at home for Rovers on a cold January afternoon with Owen Howe and Douglas Camilo bagging themselves goals to seal three points despite the challenge of a very inform Mousehole side at the time. The less said the better about the last time we went to Trungle Parc for the moment.

FA Cup Fun bus  We are running a special offer on our fun bus for our

 Adults are only £10 P/P* under 16’s can travel for free with a full paying adult.  Saturday 17th August  bus will be leaving silver street @ 10.15am If you would like to reserve a seat please contact Mike Hawkins or contact us via any of our media streams.

* £10 is for travel only you will need to pay entry at the gate.

Adults – £10

Concessions – £5

16 and under – free

Under 12 – free accompanied by an Adult