Post by Dave on May 6, 2023 7:49:25 GMT
Match Referee Paul Allen
Final Score Beesands Rovers 0 Ilsington Villa 0
When you join a grassroots football club you become one of the family. Bonds and friendships are formed and you all work as one to make your club the best it can be.
I have always been impressed with the people who give up so much of their own personal time to run our local football clubs. They do it for free because they love the game and their club and without them there would be no clubs at all.
One such man was John McMyler, Beesands Rovers Club Secretary who sadly recently passed away following a short, but valiant, fight against leukaemia.
The Beesands Rovers Announcement Made in February
Everyone associated with Beesands Rovers is heartbroken to announce the tragic passing of John McMyler.
John was our Club Secretary, but most importantly, a close and brilliant friend to everyone at our club. He did an incredible amount to support all club activities and will be so sorely missed - a true ambassador for grassroots football and one of the nicest men you’d ever meet.
The Bees won’t be the same without ‘T’John’ around but his memory will forever live on through those he did so much to help.
John's Time At Beesands Rovers
John started his involvement with Beesands in 2008 whilst supporting his wife Jo who was club secretary at that time. He was still working in the Manchester area at this time having moved down to be with Jo, so would spend all week working up North, Saturday with Beesands leaving one day for him and Jo to spend time together. He spent hours fund raising, sourcing new kit and even managed to fund a new generator for the club. He progressed onto being Club Secretary himself and ran all social media channels as well. He was always an active member of the committee and was extremely dedicated to ensuring the players always had everything they needed. John was a true grassroots champion.
The original plans were to use Beesands next home game on the 18th February against Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nd, to hold a minute’s applause for John and everyone at the club would be wearing special tea shirts made for the day. Everyone was invited to attend the game, but sadly it did not take place due to Buckfastleigh being unable to raise a side. I had been invited to cover the game and offered my services again for the next home game on the 11th March against Torquay Town. Fate struck a second time with Town also not able to raise a side on the day.
Barton Athletic did organise a minute’s applause at their home game against Beesands and it gave the club the opportunity to wear the special tea shirts. Barton also presented flowers to Rovers a very nice touch by Barton indeed.
I still wanted a Beesands Rovers match thread in the Davesworld Sport Reports Room dedicated to John which would be there for years to come for people to read, hence the reason for covering this match.
On To The Match
I know John will be looking down from above today with real pride and joy at what Beesand Rovers have achieved this season. They sit proudly at the top of the division one table and with three games still to play are already guaranteed promotion to the Premier League next season. What a record, played fifteen, won thirteen, drawn two and not lost a single game. The icing on the cake would be to be crowned as the division champions and you would not want to bet against that happening.
Trying to spoil the party will be Ilsington Villa a team promoted from division two last season that has also enjoyed a wonderful season. A team with players who seem to be able to score goals for fun. I covered one of their home games last season and soon learned what a good side they are. Due to not playing a league game since 22nd April they have dropped to third place in the table, two points behind Morley Rangers but they do have two games in hand over them. Villas record, played fourteen, won nine, drawn four and lost just the single game.
The two clubs have met three times this season and honours are all even. On the 24th September Rovers were faced an away league encounter against Villa and at half time were winning the game by six goals to three. But Villa fought back in the second half and the final score was six all.
On the 3rd December Beesands were home in the Robert Williams cup against Villa and won the game by two goals to nil. But at home in the Dartmouth Cup played on the 8th April Rovers lost the game by thee goals to nil, but the game might have been closer than the score line suggests.
And finally, in Johns words – COYBs
Match Report
When I left home to head to the game it was damp and very grey. But when I got to Harbertonford I found myself driving in thick mist. Thankfully the closer I got to Loddiswell the thinner it got and gone completely when I drove into the ground. We were even treated to seeing the sun at times and there was no sign of any rain.
What a great avert for the South Devon league these two great clubs are, it was a real pleasure to cover this game and meet and talk with so many lovely people today. Two sets of lads who can play football and who put on a show for us all to enjoy. There may not have been any goals, but it was pure entertainment from the first whistle until the last one.
Match referee Paul Allen got the game underway and the Bees so nearly took a very early lead in the match. Jake Eades who ran his socks off the whole match( just where does he get his energy from) was played into the right hand side of the box. Conner Gibson in goal for Villa came out to meet him but Jake took the ball around him and got a shot away. But a Villa defender managed to hook the ball away just before it would have crossed over the goal line.
It was end to end as both teams looked for that first goal, Villa’s Jake Dixon hit a good shot from twenty five yards out that only just went wide of the right hand post.
Villa played a great ball in the Bees box towards the back post from the right hand side of the pitch, Daniel Langford only needed to get a touch on the ball and it would have gone in, but he missed the ball completely.
Up the other end and Ashley Yeoman showed his class out on the left hand side, he ended up laying the ball on a plate for Jack Eades to fire home, but Jack was unable to keep his shot down and had to stand and watch it fly high over the Villa crossbar.
Villa then came so close to scoring themselves, a great shot from the edge of the Bees box by Matthew Warman smashed against the crossbar, it was fine effort that maybe deserved better.
The Bees won a free kick in a good position just outside the left hand side of the Villa box. Brad Williams took the kick but hit it wide of the right hand post. Villa’s hit a low powerful shot from the edge of the Bees box that was well held by Rob Came in goal for the Bees.
There was then a big shout for a Bees penalty when Adam Winkworth made a good run into the Villa box. I must admit from my angle it certainly looked like one. But Paul Allen was in a much better position to judge and he never gets much wrong in a game.
Villa enjoyed one of the best moves of the match with the final ball dropping at the feet of Matthew Warman just yards out. He hit the ball first time but straight at the keeper who saved it well, either side of him and Villa would have taken the lead.
Bees keeper was then forced into making the save of the match. Jack Langford hit a goal bound shot from the edge of the Bees box, but on route it took a wicked defection wrong footing the keeper. But Rob Came somehow adjusted and dived to his left and pushed the ball around the post and behind for a corner.
Bees Brad Williams was the first player to recive a yellow card after committing one foul to many for Paul Allen’s liking. Villa’s Matthew Warman soon followed him after a very late tackle.
That was it for the first half, both sides had chances to score and there was not a lot to choose between either side. The Bees stayed out on the pitch while the Villa lads headed back to the dressing room.
Villa enjoyed the much better start to the second half, Daniel Langford had the first chance of the half, but he took the ball a bit too far and the angle was very tight and was only able to fire his shot into the arms of Rob Came.
Daniel was staring to cause the Bees defence all sorts of problems, he burst at pace past two players before Kieran Stallard hacked him down to stop him going any further. Kieran rightly found his name going into Paul Allen’s book.
Daniel Langford hit another shot from just inside the left hand side of the Bees box that only just went wide of the right hand post.
The Bees were not creating as many chances as they did the first half, but Jack Eades did hit a good shot at goal that ended up being defected over the crossbar. Brad Williams came close when the Villa keeper was well of his line, the shot would have gone in, but a Villa defender stuck a desperate leg out and just managed to toe the ball away.
Villa then enjoyed another great move down the right hand side, the final ball was played to Daniel Langford who hit it first time well enough, but his shot was well saved by Rob Came.
Then while down in a heap on the edge of the Bees box, Daniel decided to stick a leg up and bring down a Bees players, a needless yellow card for a player who stood out during the game.
The Bees came close when Adam Winkworth got a touch on the ball close in, but the ball went just wide of the right hand post.
Daniel Langford turned well in the Bees box and got a shot away, it would have gone in but thankfully for the Bees it ended up getting defected wide of the post. Thomas Rush hit another fine shot that only just cleared the crossbar.
Paul blew up for the end of the game and the Bees started celebrating as they knew a point was enough to ensure they finish the season as the league champions. So well deserved and no more than the club and players deserve.
Villa can look back on this season with pride as well, they only came up last season and should finish in second place.
Many thanks to both clubs and Paul Allen for all your help today, many thanks to both sets of players, it was not only a joy to watch you in action today, but also the chance to speak with many of you.
