Manor Farm produce a near perfect away performance as they take all three points on opening day.
Farm have had an incredibly hectic summer and despite defeat in FA Cup midweek, Will Justin and his team were ready to prove some points as the Southern League season kicked off with a forced rearranged away day at Willand Rovers.
Farm had plenty of positives to show despite that cup exit and started with a healthy dose of confidence in this one. The travellng Farmy Army had barely settled into their seats when new striker Anthony Obot slipped Tom Blake through but his first minute effort was saved by home keeper Sowden-Bird. Obot has his own effort a few minutes later as Farm’s dominant start continued. Brandon Bak carried well down the left and his cross was meant on the volley by Obot, but it skewed just wide. Willand’s first real effort came midway through the half and it fell to the man they’d most want it too. Striker Tom Bath escaped into the area but his low effort was well saved by James Walker. Willand began to have a spell as they forced several corners in succession only for Farm to take the lead on the break. Bak carried the ball from deep inside his own half and despite his initial pass being blocked, debutant Mal Nichols recycled and after a clever one two with Bak, he slid home the first league goal of the Will Justin era. If that first goal excited the Farm faithful, they were sent into delirium a few minutes later. Another superbly taken goal began with captain Elliot Nicholson driving forward and his exquisite dinked pass was met by the run of Bak, who poked past the keeper for his second in three games.
The second half began with a slower tempo but Farm were still creating chances. The ever impressive Tom Blake had one effort well saved before his whipped corner was headed just over by defender Nathan Goodwin-Worrell. Willand were struggling to get a foothold but did have a big chance to set up a grandstand finish with twenty minutes to play. Herbert did well out wide to find Bath but his sliding effort trickled just wide. Farm had a couple more chances as their fine performance continued. Substitute Matt Lee forced another save from Sowden-Bird and the home keeper was on hand in the injury time to deny another replacement in young Jaden Neale.
