Willand boss wants more despite flying start

WILLAND Rovers boss Clive Jones has called on his side to improve the quality of their football, despite registering their fifth consecutive league victory in a 1-0 win over Corsham Town last Saturday.

Danny Jee headed the winner for Rovers with 20 minutes to go to ensure Jones' men stayed at the top of the Premier Division table, although they also hit the post and saw a Dean Stamp penalty saved.

After an opening day defeat to Longwell Green, Rovers have been in unstoppable form and are now six points clear at the top of the table, but Jones insists he isn't happy with the manner in which his side are winning their games.

"I'm pleased with the result and it was a fair result, but I'm disappointed with how we're playing at the moment," said Jones.

"Yes we've won five on the bounce, but they've been against the smaller sides.

"I want us to start playing better football and not resort to hitting it long and direct from the back. The players we have here are good enough, but they just need to be more confident.

"I'm looking forward to a week with no match so we can concentrate on training this week."

Rovers host third-placed Bitton on Saturday and, not only do the Gloucestershire side have three games in hand on Willand, but they have also won all of their matches so far this campaign.

But an unfazed Jones insists he is relishing the opportunity to test his side against one of the pre-season title favourites.

"We're looking forward to it. Bitton were favourites to win the league at the start of the season and it will be a stern test for us," he said.

"It will be interesting to see how we get on against one of the best teams in the division and then see where we go from there."

With no new injury worries, Jones has a fully-fit squad to choose from going into the Bitton game. But, even with a full-strength squad and his side currently first in the table, Jones is refusing to get carried away.

"I said before a ball had been kicked that I wanted us to finish in the top four this season," said Jones. "We've started well but we'll see how it goes. I want us to be safe by Christmas and then from there we'll see where we can go."

First Division leaders Elmore will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table when they travel to Wellington this weekend.

Chris Vinnicombe's men went on a notoriously poor run of form last season, as they failed to pick up a win from mid-November and finished bottom of the back.

But things are looking very different this time around as the Eagles – who were due to play Shepton Mallet last night – won five of their first six league games and drew the other.

And Vinnicombe claims it is the influx of more experienced players over the summer that has tipped the scales in their favour.

"People must be thinking 'hang on a minute, what's going on at Elmore?'. But we're not bothered about them, we want to concentrate on us," said the former Tiverton Town boss.

"Last year we had too many kids playing and, while they were all keen to learn, they lacked any real experience and didn't always take on board what we were telling them.

"This year we've brought in 12 players. We earmarked eight in the summer, but then the new players brought people along who they thought would help the side.

"We've added a real mixture of players here. We have more experienced players but have added pace as well and it's all come together.

"The place has a real buzz about it. The players have recognised the great atmosphere and are enjoying the winning habit – you can see the new confidence in them."