Willand visited Thatcham on the opening day of the 2019/20 season, when Zak
Westlake and Curtis Angell scored in a 2-0 home win. Thatcham completed the
double with an emphatic 4-0 win in Devon with Felipe Barcelos (2), George Jeacock
and Lamin Sankoh scoring for Danny Robinson’s side.

The following season the two sides met at Silver Street before the season was again
terminated due to the Covid pandemic. Willand had a great chance to score their first
goal against Thatcham, but George Legg saved Josh Searle’s penalty as Jamie
Leacock picked up his first away point as Thatcham manger in a goal-less draw.

Last season Rovers finished 14th in the Southern League D1 South, an improvement
of one place from their 2021/22 and 2022/23 season campaigns. This season they
have made a promising start, not losing in their opening six fixtures. After beginning
with three draws, they have defeated Cribbs 4-0, drew with leaders Yate Town, and
in midweek beat Larkhall Athletic 2-0.

In the FA Cup Willand enjoyed wins over St Austell, Mousehole and Brixham, before
losing 6-0 at Oxford City in the a Second Round Qualifying tie. They were defeated
by Bishops Cleeve at the first hurdle in the FA Trophy.

The Kingfishers have led at half-time in their last three home games yet ended up
losing them all, so will be looking to end that unwanted trend this afternoon. In
midweek Town head to Westbury then make the long trip to Tavistock next weekend.
Meanwhile Willand are at home to Malvern Town next Saturday.

In his programme notes, boss Yashwa Romeo said,

“Last Saturday summed up our season. We seemed to be cruising in the first half and
had chances to make it 3 or 4 nil, which would surely have put the game out of
Mousehole’s reach. But we lost a player through injury and the disruption didn’t help us,
they started the second half strongly and, as they proved - are actually a very good side.

I didn’t notice at the time, but looking back at the footage, the coming together for their
penalty was definitely outside the box. But we gave them a sniff, they took advantage,
and that’s what happens when you’re down on your luck and in a bit of a rut.

I’m sure things will turn around given we are playing well and creating chances. I’d be
more worried if we were not doing those things. So we regroup and go again. We have a
young squad and they need to develop trust and belief in themselves and each other.

I think one issue is a lack of a settled team. I’m not looking to make excuses but with
injuries, suspensions and absences I’ve not yet been able to field an unchanged team,
and T now being out for a short while also affects that continuity.

Another issue is squad depth and we’re looking to bring people in to address this. It is
noticeable that we are bringing younger players off the bench compared to most other
teams. We seem to struggle to recruit players for the start of the season, and tend to boost the squad with players not getting a game elsewhere in October, before picking up. We are just 3 points off where we were at the same stage last season and I’m confident we will start to climb the table soon.

I don’t know particularly much about Willand or Westbury, whom we face on Tuesday. I am steadily building up my list of contacts in the west and Toozey will come in useful for his knowledge of other teams based on his vast experience in this league.

Enjoy the game, and thanks for your support, YASH”