Willand Rovers host Wellington for FA Cup Extra Preliminary round

Live coverage as Willand Rovers hosted Wellington AFC as both sides eagerly looked to progress into the next stage of the FA Cup.

With scorching temperatures at Silver Street, the away side arrive from a short journey down the A38 for a match that could hand them a place in the next round as well as £1,125 in prize money.

Todays line up ??#COYR pic.twitter.com/XZvMaGzQmI

— Willand Rovers FC (@WillandRovers) August 6, 2022

Wellington got the match underway before the ball goes off, soon reclaimed by Willand before Glen Wright went down, handing the Tangerines a free kick.

This led to a strong attack by Wellington, with the ball being sent down the left-wing and delivered to the goal. The ball bounced off the side of the net, with George Burton delivering a goal kick back into the centre of the pitch.

Another attack, this time by Willand, would result in Douglas Camilo taking a corner for the home side. After delivering the ball into the box, a neat header from Wellington would stop any danger.

Two near misses, initially in the eighth minute by Wright after a header skated past the post and then another by Willand in a counter attack, would follow, showing top form in both squad’s attacking play.

It was then the keeper’s time to shine, with Wellington’s Rob Hall stopping two good chances for Willand to streak ahead by firstly booting the ball off of the pitch to prevent any chances of a goal.

Moments later, Willand would claim yet another corner, sending the ball straight into the box, with a header calmly collected by Hall with outstretched gloves, yet again stopping his side from falling behind.

The game then settled down, with both teams evaluating their opponents as the coaching staff gave them instructions from the side of the pitch.

With Wellington’s team guiding their players, and a few minutes of the defenders holding possession, Nathaniel Groom would fly towards the goal on the left side. However, as he approached the goal, the whistle blew and he was ruled to be offside.

Just minutes later, they used the same tactic, something that was anticipated by Willand who cut out any opportunities.

As both sides continued to throw everything they had at the other team, the ball eventually landed at the feet of Ollie Bray who darted on goal. It looked certain to be the opportunity that would edge Willand ahead, but the ball would be fired straight at the keeper, going off for a corner.

34 minutes in, the hosts would make it count as Lewis Hill fired the ball into the net, scoring their first of the match and their first of the campaign.

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!! pic.twitter.com/IHCxW22EWq

— Willand Rovers FC (@WillandRovers) August 6, 2022

Following this, the ball would be sent over the top of Wellington’s defence, falling to Hill once again, He would steam towards to goal, but would be met with the keeper who grabbed the ball and ended the chance.

Unfortunately for Wellington, they would fall further behind just before half time. A cross by Willand’s Ollie Bray would meet a centre’s knee, deflecting it into their goal and leaving the boys in orange 2-0 down.

Willand would get the game back underway, but it was Wellington who quickly took control. Their first substitute of the game would arrive as Jack Bown Porter took the place of their captain, Wright.

A change at the break at Jack Bown-Porter replaces Glen Wright.

— Wellington AFC (@Wellington_AFC) August 6, 2022

Willand would follow in making a change on the pitch, bringing off Douglas Camilo and sending on Adam Kelly in the number 15 shirt.

With 20 minutes left of full-time, referee Matt Uren stopped play as Hill went down. The man who scored the opening goal would exit the game, as Jamie Hearsey replaced him.

Towler would be denied by Burton as the keeper stopped a long shot, tipping it over the top of the net. Following this, Wellington’s corner would land at the feet of Towler once again, firing it at Burton who once again stopped the shot.

A last-minute goal would allow Wellington to leave with something to show for it, but eventually Willand would emerge victorious on home soil to progress to the next round of the FA Cup.

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