TIVVY ARCHIVE

The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club


Tiverton Town 1 - 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wednesday 28/07/1999   Testimonial
Nigel Davis

The Ladysmead boss was all smiles after a brief run-out in his own testimonial clash against Wolves. A crowd of 1‚515 saw the visitors ease into a 3-0 lead before Tivvy replied through Kevin Nancekivell.
It was Tivvy´s first pre-season goal against Football League opposition after losing 2-0 to Portsmouth and drawing 0-0 with Northampton.
"I know it sounds strange as we haven´t won yet‚ but I´m pleased with how things are going‚" said Martyn. "We have played quality opposition and the lads have worked hard. They really stuck at it tonight. "It´s nice for the defence‚ especially‚ to get that sort of practice. It will stand them in good stead for the Dr Martens.
"Sometimes‚ when we played in the Western League‚ defenders could go five or six weeks without being tested."
Martyn also added: "Our fitness levels are excellent and the players never lack confidence."
Tivvy trailed 2-0 at half-time against a Wolves side containing only a handful of players with first-team experience.
But to be fair Tivvy played some excellent football. On ten minutes Steve Ovens shot just over the bar after being put through and‚ shortly after‚ Kevin Nancekivell´s shot was put just wide of the keepers left hand post after being put through by a lovely ball from Steve Ovens. On twenty minutes Steve Daly watched his attempt fly high over the bar following another good interplay that included Nathan Blamey‚ Pete Conning and Steve Evans. For Wolves‚ impressive right-back Ryan Green linked up well with Shane Tudor as the visitors launched a string of swift raids throughout.
Ex-Fortuna Dusseldorf striker Robert Niestroj — at £350‚000 Wolves´ costliest acquisition on view — saw a 25th minute shot blocked for a corner by goalkeeper Paul Edwards after a superb Green through ball.
From Niestroj´s resulting flag-kick‚ centre half Keith Andrews rose to head Wolves in front.
Colin Larkin doubled the advantage a minute before half-time‚ blasting a close-range shot past a busy Paul Edwards.
Larkin made it 3-0 seven minutes into the second half with a stunning volley from Stuart Smith´s headed clearance.
Nancekivell reduced the arrears on the hour mark with an excellently taken goal‚ placing the ball in the far corner‚ giving the giant Wolves keeper Matt Murphy no chance. And Kevin forced him into a stunning stop shortly after.
The biggest cheer of the evening‚ though‚ was reserved for Martyn Rogers when the 44-year-old entered the action as a late substitute.
He deserved the applause. Sixteen trophies in eight years as manager speaks volumes.
Tivvy chairman Dave Wright summed Martyn Rogers´ contribution to the Tiverton success story in the prorgramme‚ where he quipped: "No-one doubted Martyn´s defensive abilities (on arriving at Tiverton). "All the supporters with stiff necks constantly looking skywards hoping to catch a glimpse of one of Martyn´s clearances were not to know they were looking at the limit to this man´s ability."
(Based on Simon Carter´s report in the Express and Echo)
Line up: Edwards‚ Blamey‚ Saunders‚ Smith‚ Leonard‚ Daly‚ Rogers‚ Nancekivell‚ Richardson‚ Conning‚ Vinnicombe‚ Harvey‚ Ovens Chesterfield‚ Hynds.
Not playing: Everett‚ Tatterton‚ Tallon‚ Tucker‚ Pears‚ Varley.

This report ©1999 Nigel Davis