Hartpury FC secured back-to-back wins recording a 3-2 victory over Willand Rovers at the KMM Energy Stadium on Saturday.
Louis Manning’s stunning strikes and a brilliant brace from Morgan Ewing saw the Acorns overcome the Devon based side in this Southern League Div One South clash.
Manning saw an early effort blocked behind, on four minutes, after Riley McGregor picked him out over the top with a fantastic diagonal pass.
Lewis Morgan went close for Rovers on 10 minutes, dragging his effort wide from 18-yards.
The Acorns went the closest on 23 minutes when Nathan Jenkins’ bending effort, towards the far corner, was denied by a stretching save from Willand goalkeeper, Adam Seedhouse-Evans.
Jenkins went close again, seven minutes later, when he had a volleyed effort cleared off the line.
Ewing saw a header rattle the underside of the bar before bouncing down onto the line and into the grateful hands of Seedhouse-Evans, on 31 minutes.
Two minutes later, Billy Osborn flicked through Jenkins who’s first touch took him away from goal but his second saw a driven volley sting the palms of Seedhouse-Evans.
Jenkins proved to be a threat in the first half and saw yet another effort skip the wrong side of the post on 35 minutes, after drilling low from just inside the area.
But it would be Willand who struck first blood, much against the run of play, when Joshua Baxter headed Rovers into a half time lead from close range, on 42 minutes.
HALF TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-1 WILLAND ROVERS
Willand had the first chance of the new half on 53 minutes, when Harvey Dorothy fired over the bar following an effort on the angle.
Jenkins saw another driven effort well saved by Seedhouse-Evans before McGregor swivelled to hit the side netting, all on 56 minutes.
The pressure paid off though, as Ewing delightfully curled an effort into the back of the net on 59 minutes, following some brilliantly play down the left hand side from Osborn.
Ewing made it a brace for himself five minutes later when deftly headed a Jenkins cross into the bottom corner.
Willand went close to equalising on 71 minutes when Finley Rooke got a shot away on the angle, but Seth Locke was down smartly to stop it.
But two minutes later, Manning sealed the three points with an absolute rocket from 18-yards which nestled into the top corner moments after Ewing crashed an effort against the woodwork.
Kian Davies could’ve made it four on 77 minutes, but his curling effort skipped the wrong side of the post, following a quick counter attack.
Manning dragged an effort wide on 82 minutes, before Willand managed to get one goal back on 87 minutes through a Bailey Kempster low strike.
Despite a late charge by Willand, the Acorns saw out the victory securing back-to-back wins in the league.
The Acorns are back in action on Tuesday night, as we welcome Worcester Raiders to the KMM Energy Stadium.
FULL TIME – HARTPURY FC 3-2 WILLAND ROVERS
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent, Sanniola (Robinson 54’), Walters, McGregor, Davies (Callow 90+1), Aldridge, Jenkins, Ewing, Manning, Osborn © (Coates 79’)
UNUSED SUBS: Preston, Silva
Written by Sam Yapp
