It was the classic game of two halves in this FA Trophy contest at Willand Rovers' Silver Street with a strong second half showing from the home side proving decisive after Falmouth had played their hosts off the park in the first period, writes Scott McCormack.

Manager John Fabby named a much-changed line-up for this FA Trophy tie at Willand Rovers with Josh Bissett starting his first game of the season and the welcome return of the influential Bradley Leivers. No doubt with Monday's game against Barnstaple in mind, the two promising new full backs Max Cook.and Malachi Davy were named on the bench.
It was evidence of the strength of the squad at Fabby's disposal this season that he could also name Andy Elcock, Oscar Massey and Olly Evans amongst the substitutes.

In the first minute, Falmouth created their first chance of the game.. A break from Luke Barner caused chaos in the box ending with the ball falling to Jack Symons, but his cross was deflected fortuitously to safety off a Willand defender.

Falmouth were well on top and on 16 minutes, a good move down the left involving Bissett and Leivers ended with the latter picking out Jack Symons on the edge of 6 yard box. Symons took his shot first time on the volley and expertly guided his effort just inside the post to make it 1-0 to Falmouth Town. A great team goal.

Only four minutes later, Symons could have added to his tally, being put through one on one with the Willand keeper Adam Seedhouse Evans from a Liam Prynn pass, but Symons shot was well-saved by the eventual man of the match.

It was arguably Falmouth's best 45 minutes of the season with some excellent passages of play, building from the back and carrying a real threat going forward. Jack Symons was having his best game since joining the club in the summer and Josh Bisset's pace and trickery was giving the Willand defence a real challenge.

In the 31st minute, Falmouth had a further good chance to add to their lead. Another move down the left resulted in a cross-field ball finding Ned Symons. Symons squared it to Barner just inside the area, and with seemingly the goal at Barner's mercy, Seedhouse-Evans made a quality point-blank save to keep the score at 1-0 going into half-time.

With the wind at their backs and playing down the slight slope, Willand started the half strongly and won a series of corners. Captain Bailey Kempster was coming into the game more and in the 13th minutes of the half, a rare handling error from the impressive Morgan Jones, whilst dealing with another corner, was punished as Joel Jackson tapped the loose ball into the net from 2 yards out.

10 minutes later, Willand should have taken the lead. A raid down the left flank ended with a low, hard ball across the Falmouth goal which eluded Jones and fell to a Willand attacker. However, from two yards out, he unbelievably scooped his effort over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Willand continued to dominate with the unusually named June Horner at right back looking threatening when going forward.

A free kick conceded on 32 minutes deep in the Falmouth half on the right flank provided the chance Willand were looking for to win the game. The ball into the box pinballing around the area until a goal line clearance found the dangerous Kempster on the edge of the box, and he hit a powerful shot just inside Jones' far post.

Falmouth still had time to strike back, but Willand continued in the same vein and didn't give their visitors any chances, and despite a spirited last 5 minutes from Falmouth, as they pushed for an equaliser, Willand saw the game out to progress to the next round.

Falmouth resume their league campaign on Bank-Holiday Monday when they welcome newly-promoted Barnstaple Town to Bickland Park in a 3pm kick-off. They will be looking to bring their first half peeformance from today and will be hoping for a big crowd to drive them on in their bid to gain their first league points of the season.

Falmouth Town: Morgan Jones, Bradley Leivers, Tom Annear, Max Cook, Malachi Davy, Jack Webber, Jared Sims(c), Andy Elcock, Luke Barner, Oscar Massey, Ollie Evans, Liam Prynn, Ned Symons, Jack Symons, Harrison Jewell, Josh Bissett.

Wilkand Rovers: Adam Seedhouse-Evans, June Horn, Zeph Collins, Josh Baxter, Joel Jackson, Calum Thomas, Baily Kempster(c), Fin Rooke, Sol Ayunga, Harvey Dorothy, Zack Williams. Charlie Bateson, Harley Wilkinson, Alfie Down, Tiago Sa, Lewis Morgan.