Match preview
Willand Rovers v Yate Town
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 28th September- Kick-off 3.00pm
Yate Town travel to Devon on Saturday to play Willand Rovers in a Southern League Division One South fixture. Following two home wins, against Bideford in the FA Trophy and against Larkhall Athletic on Tuesday evening, the Bluebells will be hoping to extend their unbeaten league form on Saturday.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, will be hoping to have forward Marlon Jackson available for selection following him having to leave the field in the second half against Bideford. With centre backs Ewan McMillan and Dan Dempsey out injured Mullings has added defender Sean Keets to his squad. Keets was signed from Westbury United on Thursday.
It is also hoped that Ross Stearn will also get some minutes following his second half debut against Larkhall Athletic, having been out since sustaining an injury in pre-season.
Form Guide:
In the League Willand Rovers have drawn their first three games - after an opening day 2-2 draw at home to Bemerton there followed a 2-2 draw at Helston and a 3-3 draw at Falmouth but last Saturday beat Cribbs 4-0 at home with goals from Dorothy, Howe, Sully and Allen to record their first League win of the season but so far, they are unbeaten in the League and sit in 11th place having played just 4 matches. They are one of only three teams that are undefeated in the League – the other two being second placed Helston Athletic, who have played five games and eighth placed Melksham Town, who like Willand, have only played four times in the League so far this season.
In the FA Trophy, Willand lost 0-2 at home to Bishops Cleeve.
This season Willand have done well in the FA Cup and after beating St Austell 2-0 at home, they knocked Mousehole out in a replay 1-0 in the Preliminary Round after drawing 2-2 in Cornwall. In the First Qualifying Round Willand beat Brixham at home to set up an away tie at National League North side Oxford City but Willand lost 0-6.
Previous meetings:
Last season the two teams drew 2-2 at Willand on a wet and windy Tuesday night in February with Nick McCootie scoring both the Bluebells goals. Owen Howe had put the hosts 1-0 up after just four minutes but two Nick McCootie goals gave the Bluebells a half-time lead. In the second half Willand piled on the pressure and were rewarded when Ross Edwards levelled the scores.
The return game saw Yate win 3-0 with goals from Calum English-Brown, Nick McCootie and Joe Guest.
Calum English-Brown scores the opening goal at the South West Interiors Stadium when Yate beat Willan 3-0 in April.
Getting there:
For those Bluebells fans planning to drive to the game Willand Rovers play their home games at Silver Street, Willand, Cullompton, EX15 2RG. The village, north of Exeter, has grown considerably over the past few decades with many new houses having been built. Similarly, the Football Club has grown and developed with the local community. On matchdays the club and clubhouse facilities are open before, during, and after games. The 77-mile journey from Yate should take about 1hour 30 minutes. Travel on the M5 Motorway southbound until Junction 27: leave the motorway and take the first exit at the Junction 27 roundabout onto the A38 towards Wellington; continue for 0.5 miles to the Waterloo Cross Inn roundabout – take the second exit off the roundabout, effectively turning right, onto the B3181; follow this road for 2 miles to reach the village of Willand. At the first roundabout take the second exit to stay on the B3181/Silver Street; after 0.5 miles the ground can be seen on your left. Parking is restricted inside the stadium on matchdays, but is unrestricted around the ground on the local streets.
Next up:
Yate Town travel to Cinderford Town on Tuesday 1st October for a Southern League Division One South match that kicks off at 7.45pm before the Bluebells then entertain Melksham Town in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy at the South West Interiors Stadium on Saturday 5th October.