TIVVY ARCHIVE

Weston-super-Mare 1 - 2 Tiverton Town

With Phil Everett and Dave Toomey unavailable for this game it was Pete Varley´s chance to partner Stevie Ovens up front. And it worked rather well. Pete opened the scoring for Tivvy and then he brilliantly set up Pete Conning to head home Tivvy´s winner. Pete Varley´s inventiveness set up both Steve Ovens and Dominic Richardson on several occasions in the second half but the scorline remained the same as Weston fought hard to get an equaliser without really threatening.

Tivvy started brightly and looked dangerous from the off‚ but it was Weston through Joby Bevan who opened the scoring when his nod on was slightly assisted by Stuart Smith. This did not deter Tivvy as they carried on from where they were before that surprise goal‚ with wave after wave of good attacking football. Tivvy went very close to equalising when Steve Daly put Pete Varley through. He rounded the keeper‚ but his effort went just over the bar. The pressure continued and three minutes later Tivvy went close again and this time it was Steve Ovens the provider as his cross ricocheted off a defender to spin over the helpless ´keeper to hit the cross bar. On 18 minutes‚ Steve Daly picked up a lose ball from a clearance following one of many corners. He carefully flighted a lob goalward‚ but again like the other chances the ball was just too high. Tivvy did not have to wait long for their much deserved equaliser as on 30 minutes Pete Varley finished clinically following a well worked‚ short corner. Steve Ovens dummied for Steve Daly to shoot. His effort slipped through a number of defenders for Pete to finish.

The industry of Pete Varley was to pay off as again he was on hand to set up Tivvy´s second goal. A speculative ball from midfield saw Pete brilliantly gather the ball on his chest at full pace and composed himself enough to put in a fabulous curling cross to Pete Conning who‚ from twelve yards‚ headed the ball home giving the ´keeper no chance. In the dying minutes of the first half Nicky Marker crossed the ball in from a throw in. The ball was cleared only as far as Jason Rees‚ whose long range effort was just palmed round the far post by the 'Keeper.

The second half started as the first finished with Pete Varley going very close to getting his second after Pete Conning did ever so well to pick out Steve Ovens. Steve passed the ball to Pete Varley who watched‚ in disbelief‚ his shot cleared off the line‚ spin up and off the underside of the crossbar and out of danger. Steve Daly then went down holding what looked like his hamstring and was replaced by Dominic Richardson. Pete Varley picked up a long clearance‚ beat his marker‚ turned inside and beat another two defenders‚ but his shot went narrowly wide into the side netting.

The game began to get a bit scrappy as Weston fought hard‚ but without causing Paul Edwards to make a save. They made three substitutions‚ throwing everything forward. Graham Cheeseman‚ who you might remember from his days at Backwell‚ was one of those subs‚ but his presence did nothing to imrove things for Weston. If anything‚ they looked a bit overcrowded at the front giving the Tivvy defenders a relatively easy job of mopping up. The best of the remaining chances as the second half came to a close all fell to Tivvy. Pete Varley‚ who was excellent all night put through a series of balls for Steve Ovens and Dominic Richardson. Dominic had an great oportunity to seal the win‚ but hesitated‚ and the moment was lost. Jason Rees put in a cross for Pete Varley to flick the ball on. The Weston keeper just managed to get a hand to it. The ball fell to Steve Ovens‚ but his shot was cleared by a defender and out for corner.

A workman like performance from Tivvy. They had to battle for this one. Weston I would say are an improved side and have been on a bit of run of late. I suspect that they will move up the table.
My man of the match had to be Pete Varley who not only got the all important equaliser‚ but was so inventive creating many chances throughout the game including‚ of course‚ the winner.

Tiverton Town: Paul Edwards‚ Stuart Smith‚ Neil Saunders‚ Paul Tatterton‚ Nick Marker‚ Pete Conning‚ Jason Rees‚ Steve Ovens‚ Pete Varley‚ Steve Daly (Dominic Richardson 60)‚ Dave Leonard
Goals: Varley 30, Conning 41

Attendance: 369