Sam Stowell (6), Fraser Hossack (23)

Both teams doing well in their respective leagues, WBB sit top of Division 1 having not lost a fixture since early October, a dominent 4-0 victory over Bovey Tracey before Christmas instilled a lot of confidence going into this game. The opponents sit top of Division 2 with a GD of +47 in 10 games! Their only loses coming on the opening day of the season and via a penalty shootout in the county cup to Division 1 side Paignton Villa.

Starting XI: [GK] Connor Rowlands [DEF] Jake Moore(C), Billy Clinch & Sam Bannister [MID] Sam Stowell, Cam Hooper. Fraser Hossack, Ryan Clarke & Ashton Sowerby [ATT] Cam Gill & Jake Cuff

Substitutes: Billy Robbins, Darren Sowerby, Charlie Wilson & Dex Ellsworth

The claymen sealed their place in the draw for round 3 of the herald cup after victory over Plymouth side SB Oak Villa. Cold weather over night saw a lot of local games called off due to frozen pitches, fortunately for us the sun come out early doors, giving the pitch plenty of time to thaw. GAME ON!

The away team won the toss and opted for a change of ends, meaning they would be facing the sun for the 1st half. The match started with WBB on top and looking for an early goal, which they found inside 6 minutes! Some excellent play down the right wing, found Sam Stowell in a good position to whip the ball into the box, a good block by the Villa defender put it out for a WBB corner. A good balll in the box from Ashton Sowerby, found numerous heads before falling to Sam Stowell, who hammered the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 WBB.

WBB continued to control the tempo of the game, both Jake Cuff & Cam Gill using the channels well with great support on the overlap from Stowell and Sowerby. WBB created some good chances but were not clinical enough in front of goal. Villa enjoyed a good 10 minute spell of the game, exploiting the little bit of space they found on the right wing, some great defending by WBB and a couple of good saves from WBB NO.1 Connor Rowlands kept the score at 1-0.

Against the run of play WBB doubled their lead in the 23rd minute, a great ball out from the back from Jake Moore who found the feet of Cam Gill, he beat the full back before finding Fraser Hossack in plenty of space in the box, Hossack calmly slotting the ball in the corner of the net. 2-0 WBB.

Very much in control of the game now, WBB pressed high and played some good football. Jake Cuff pace causing a headache for the Villa backline and nearly making it 3-0, another good ball over the top found Cuff charging down the Villa goal before slotting home, however the Villa linesmen had his flag up, some groans from the home support would suggest an incorrect decision but the man in the middle opted for the linesman’s call. The 1st half ended with a dangerous free on the edge of the box, Cam Gill stepping up and missing the top corner by millimetres. HT: WBB 2 vs 0 SB Oak Villa.

WBB facing the sun for the 2nd half but starting the half strong, good use of the channels again and the pace of Cuff still causing issues, a great through ball seen Cuff take it around the keeper but a weak shot allowed the Villa defender to position himself on the line to get a block in. WBB seemed to lose momentum after this, with a couple of mistakes creeping in! Villa used this as fuel to fire a come back, pressing WBB back into their half but a well organised backline made any attacking threat difficult. However a mistake from the WBB keeper In the 65th minute gifted Villa a goal. A shot from the edge of the box skimmed off the wet surface down the throat of Rowlands, who couldn’t hold onto it, spilling it to the Villa striker right in front of him who poked it into the back of the net. The WBB linemen put his flag up for offside but referee Sam Gill was having none of it. 2-1.

The final 25 minutes of the game were nail biting for the WBB bench, the game was end to end, but both teams performing poorly in front of goal. Could WBB find another goal or would we see another 2-0 lead In the cup squandered? Villa looked the more likely to score and they thought the had done it, a shot from 15 yards looked destined for the top corner but Rowlands made amends from his earlier mistake by pulling off a top draw save. FT | WBB 2 VS 1 SB Oak Villa

Man of the match: Billy Clinch

A solid defensive display from Billy Clinch earned him the mangers vote for MOTM.