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.
