Match Preview - Willand Rovers (A)

After back-to-back defeats in the league, the Acorns will be looking to get back to winning ways as we take a trip to Willand Rovers on Saturday.

It will be the second meeting between the sides this season when we hit Silver Street, with Willand having already made the trip to the 4ED back in August.

Ahead of Saturday’s Southern League Div One South clash, here is everything you need to know about our opposition.

THE OPPOSITION – WILLAND ROVERS

STADIUM- Silver Street

NICKNAME- Rovers 

FOUNDED- 1946

MANAGER- Ben Watson

LAST FIVE- W-L-W-D-L

LEAGUE POSITION- 19^th

LAST TIME OUT

It was an unusual August afternoon when Rovers visited the 4ED Hartpury Stadium, with kick off pushed back an hour due to traffic.

This didn’t help reflect a performance or result despite the Acorns enjoying a comfortable victory after some early goals in the game.

Want to know what happened that afternoon? Read the match report from our last encounter with Willand.

https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/hartpury-fc/news/hartpury-produce-gr-eight-performance-against-willand-to-go-three-games-unbeaten/ 

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE?

Since our meeting back in August, Rovers parted company with manager David Steele and have replaced him with experienced coach, Ben Watson.

Watson played for the likes of Exeter City, Eastbourne Borough, Dorchester Town and Truro City before going on to manage Barnstaple Town and Street FC.

It was the dream start for Watson who saw his side take down high flying Frome Town, 1-0, on his debut game in charge of Rovers, securing just their second league win of the season.

Since taking charge at the beginning of October, Willand have seen a pick-up in form with Watson securing four points from a possible nine in his opening three games, seeing Rovers sit one point off safety.

PLAYER TO WATCH- BAILEY KEMPSTER

Bailey Kempster looks to be Willand’s most dangerous threat having scored four goals in his last five games.

Kempster netted his sides only goal in last weekend’s defeat away to Portishead Town following scorning the opening goal in their 2-2 draw with Larkhall Athletic the weekend prior.

RECENT FORM

18.10.25 – Portishead Town 3-1 Willand Rovers (Southern League Div One South)

11.10.25 – Larkhall Athletic 2-2 Willand Rovers (Southern League Div One South)

04.10.25 – Willand Rovers 1-0 Frome Town (Southern League Div One South)

30.09.25 – Shaftesbury AFC 3-2 Willand Rovers (Southern League Div One South)

27.09.25 – Tavistock AFC 1-2 Willand Rovers (Southern League Div One South)