The Acorns will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Southern League Div One South, as we welcome an inform Willand Rovers to the KMM Energy Stadium on Saturday.
It was an enjoyable evening on Tuesday night, as the Acorns made it four-games unbeaten in all competitions with a 3-1 victory over Melksham Town.
This will the Acorns second home game of the week and ahead of Willand’s trip to Gloucestershire, here is everything you need to know about them.
THE OPPOSITION – WILLAND ROVERS
STADIUM- Stan Robinson Stadium
NICKNAME- Rovers
FOUNDED- 1946
MANAGER- Ben Watson
LEAGUE POSITION- 5th
FORM GUIDE- W-D-W-W-W
HOT START TO PROCEEDINGS
Rovers have made flying start to proceedings in the league this season, losing just one of their opening five games.
Three wins and a draw around this sees Rovers occupying fifth spot in the division and sitting just five points off the top.
Willand are unbeaten in their last three league games and have won all of their last three games, in all competitions.
A stunning 3-1 victory over Westbury United on Wednesday night, saw Rovers build 3-2 FA Trophy win over Slimbridge and a 4-1 victory at home to Larkhall Athletic.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
When Rovers visited Gloucestershire in August last year, it was a relentless display from the Acorns who ran out 8-0 winners.
Billy Osborn netted a hat-trick on the day before the Acorns headed to Devon, later in the season, but suffered a late 3-2 defeat on the day.
IN THE DUGOUT – BEN WATSON
Ben Watson took over as the Willand manager back in 2025 following the departure of David Steele.
Despite not being able to keep Rovers in the Southern League on finishing position, a reprieve during pre-season has seen Watson granted a second chance to make a mark on the league.
Watson, once of Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth setup, had spells at Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers, Bath City and Eastbourne Borough, as a player.
Prior to taking the helm at Silver Street, Watson managed Barnstaple Town and Street FC at step five.
PLAYER TO WATCH – BAILEY KEMPSTER
Willand fans will have been pleased to see Bailey Kempster commit permanently to the club during summer, following five previous loan spells from Weston-Super-Mare.
During the 2025/26 season, Kempster netted seven goals in 12 games for Rovers, and the attacker has already bagged himself three league goals in his first five games of the new season.
RECENT FORM
16.09.26 – Willand Rovers 3-1 Westbury United (Southern League Div One South)
12.09.26 – Slimbridge 2-3 Willand Rovers (FA Trophy)
05.09.26 – Willand Rovers 4-1 Larkhall Athletic (Southern League Div One South)
31.08.26 – Bideford AFC 1-1 Willand Rovers (Southern League Div One South)
29.08.26 – Willand Rovers 2-1 Falmouth Town (FA Trophy)
