Hot-shot Piper calling the tune in Trojans? revival
Over the years Devonshire Cougars have danced to the pulsating beat of the Gombey drum while Dandy Town Hornets have always responded to the chimes of that irritating school bell.
Now it seems as though Somerset Trojans are being driven by the melodic sounds of the piper ? Rodre (Piper) Wilson that is.
Since making the official swap from the yellow and gold of Somerset Eagles to the red and black of Trojans on October 8, Wilson has quickly cemented his spot in coach Dennis Brown?s well-oiled machine.
Just barely missing the target against Boulevard in his first match of the season, Wilson netted a superb brace against North Village to send Trojans through to a first Martonmere Cup final since 1992.
Seventy two hours later Wilson was at it again, helping himself to a third goal in as many outings and playing a key role in another to spur Trojans to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over defending Premier Division champions Devonshire Cougars at a jammed Somerset Cricket Club.
One of Wilson?s short-term objectives at the beginning of the season was to net 15 goals. And judging by the 28-year-old left-footed forward?s impressive start, it appears as though he?s well on course to surpass that target.
So what is it that?s helping the Piper to hit all the right notes when it matters most?
?I?ve been bitten by the football bug,? he smiled. ?It all boils down to training and discipline. Dennis (Brown) is a very stern coach . . . I can tell you that. Discipline wise if you don?t train then you don?t play. It?s as simple as that. The coach lays out the plan and our job is to basically go out there and do whatever needs to be done.
?But I?ve always had a little something in me and training and working under Dennis has really helped my game come along. I also have to give credit to my team-mates around me because they also help boost your confidence. Overall I can do better.
?But there?s a lot happening in Somerset right now and it feels great to be a part of this. It?s an entirely different vibe up there at the moment.?
Wilson?s career actually took flight at Somerset Eagles where he played among the youth ranks under late Trojan utility player Lance Brown. Then, just as many before him, Wilson would make the natural progression from White Hill Field to Cricket Lane where he played under coaches Randy Horton and Andrew Bascome before returning to Eagles.
But after spending several seasons with Eagles, Wilson has been reunited with cousin Rohaan Simons at the core of a potent Trojans? attack also containing the likes of Lamual Crofton and Stephen Astwood to name a few of the many talents coach Brown has at his disposal.
?Playing with Rohaan is very enjoyable and he?s one of those players who understands the game and knows exactly what to do when it comes down to crunch time,? Wilson added.
The two cousins accounted for all three goals in Trojans? Martonmere Cup semi-final win over a Village side galvanised by another cousin ? Vernon Tankard.
?It?s always good playing against Vernon . . . he?s left-footed just like his older cousin,? Wilson added.
On the back of last Friday night?s big league win over Cougars, Wilson noted: ?Our main focus is to bring the community back together. We definitely want to do something for the community.?
With over 2,000 fans swarming to Somerset Cricket Club last week, the plan seems to be working ? that of bringing the community together using football as a means.
Another way of promoting harmony, Wilson suggested, was to finally give a trophy-starved Somerset something to really cheer about.
Asked about Trojans chances against Town in next month?s Martonmere Cup final at the National Sports Centre, Wilson replied: ?I think we can rise to the occasion. We just have to come prepared physically and mentally and stay focused on our game plan.?
Something which, so far, Trojans have managed to achieve under the no-nonsense approach of coach Brown.