Willand Rovers 1, Blackfield and Langley 0

“We stopped playing after half-time and I don’t know why” was Chris Farrell’s honest assessment of his team as they watched Western League Willand Rovers walk away from tonight’s FA Cup 2nd qualifying round replay with a home tie with Isthmian League Aveley and a cheque for £4,500.

It was hard to take for the Watersiders’ contingent who had made the long journey to Devon after Saturday’s goalless stalemate, as their side had shown promise before the break and looked as though they could stay the distance in front a large and noisy crowd at Silver Street.

With boss John Robson away Farrell took charge and watched on as Kevin Gibbens nodded just wide and Danilo Cadete tested the home defence before shooting wide as they settled first.

Ekow Elliott’s free-kick found Dave Ewen who was just over with another header but Willand slowly got into the game and Gareth Barfoot had to be strong to save from Luke Alden and Luke Durham either side of the half-hour mark.

Cadete curled a shot wide on the break but that was as good as it got as the green’s fell back in the second half and eventually were done by a deflected goal from Luke Alden midway through the half, who turned from saint to sinner when he was sent off ten minutes from time for a second yellow card.

Willand should have wrapped it up late on which gave Blackfield and Langley hope but Farrell was honest in admitting: “We didn’t look like scoring and we lost our way in the last 20 minutes.”

“Gareth Barfoot kept us in it but the bigger picture is we need to regroup now for Newport IOW on Saturday.

“We have no complaints as they are a big strong side and we should have controlled the game after the break but allowed them to and they took advantage.”