Our last pre-season game sees us take on Honiton Town at Silver Street. After getting a win on the road against Bridgwater United at Fairfax Park. There was a sense of optimism in the air with Willand one win away from being unbeaten in pre-season.
There were fewer familiar names with new signings and trialists being called on a lot more than usual. Willand welcomed the signing of Thiago Sa, who took his place in the starting XI. As he looks to be a familiar name to the Willand faithful by now.
Honiton came into this game fresh off the back of a game against Topsham Town, and they looked to win. But it would be the Rovers who got the ball rolling, and after a few chances, the ball would drop to Tom Bath, who slotted the ball home inside the 15th minute.
The Rovers would continue to attack with shot after shot, but Honiton Town’s defence held firm, and it was just the one goal that separated the teams going into halftime, with Rovers taking control over the first half.
The second half started off flying with Tom Bath getting another in the 48th minute after an error at the back left exposed Honiton Town, with Tom Bath restoring any nerves for the Rovers. Giving us more momentum going forward and continuing our goal-scoring streak.
Willand kept putting chances through, but nothing would come from it until River Allen scored from a distance to make it three. With the big lead, the Rivers still was pushing for another, and in the 67th minute, we won a penalty, which Copp converted.
A comfortable win to finish off a good preseason for the Rovers and a preseason in which we went unbeaten. Cup action is next when we welcome Barnstaple Town at home, hoping to keep the momentum going into the start of the Southern League season.
