TIVVY ARCHIVE

The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club


Tiverton Town 2 - 2 Stafford Rangers

Saturday 14/08/1999   Southern League First Division
Nigel Davis

Stafford showed why they are considered one of the title favourites. However‚ for most of the game they did not have an answer for Tivvy who‚ with three key players missing‚ dictated the play and could have been three or four goals up at half time‚ with Phil Everett‚ Steve Ovens and Steve Daly going tantalisingly close. As it was‚ one goal seperated the sides at the interval‚ a screamer on 45 minutes from Steve Ovens. A flick on from Phil Everett fell perfectly for Steve who left his marker for dead and rifled a shot past Stafford´s keeper Mal Rigby.
The second half started as the first ended with Tivvy well on top. Phil Everett again narrowly missing and Pete Conning‚ on as Tivvy reshuffled following Dave Leonards horrendous 15th minute injury‚ hit the upright from 20 yards. It was no surprise when Tivvy made it two on 50 minutes with a Kevin Nancekivell header. An excellent goal that was started by good play by Nathan Blamey who dummied his marker‚ brought the ball forward and layed it on to Steve Daly who returned it for Nathan to cross superbly for Kevin to powerfully head home. Again Tivvy had chances to seal the game‚ but it was not to be. A double substitution and change in formation mid way through the second half gave Stafford extra impetus and a defensive error following a corner‚ allowed Ron Walker to stab home a goal on 70 minutes that spurred them on to an equaliser 8 minutes later. It has to be said that it was an excellent goal. Nathan Blamey lost possession and the resulting cross was headed powerfully by Richard Mitchell past Paul Edwards and into the roof of the net. So‚ a slight dissapointment but lessons will have been learned. Tuesday evenings game against Yate will give Tivvy the opportunity to show that they have.
Dave Leonard sustained a double fracture to his ankle and will be out for twelve weeks. Our thoughts are with him and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Line up: Edwards‚ Blamey‚ Saunders‚ Smith‚ Tallon‚ Rogers‚ Nancekivell‚ Ovens‚ Everett‚ Daly‚ Leonard
Subs: Pears (Blamey 78)‚ Conning (Leonard 19)‚ Richardson.

This report ©1999 Nigel Davis