The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club
Leamington 2 - 1 Tiverton TownSaturday 08/01/2011 Southern League Premier Division | Tivvy Archive |
Tiverton Town remain winless in the new decade after surrendering a half-time lead to eventually go down 2-1 at the New Windmill Ground against playoff-chasing Leamington. And while Tivvy put in a hearty performance in the first forty-five minutes they had no answers to the pace of the Leamington attack after the break, eventually conceding the crucial winning goal nine minutes from time. There were only three minutes on the clock when Town, dressed for the day in white, nosed ahead, and the goal, although fortuitous, was the culmination of a promising opening for the visitors. Colin Marshall returned to the team and it his was neat ball between the Leamington defence that allowed Ashley Yeoman to break into the area. Yeoman’s shot was not hit as sweetly as he would have liked, but as Toby Breeden in the home goal lunged forward to gather so Stephan Morley lunged too and inadvertently bundled the ball into the net at the near post. Tiverton were not without other chances i the first half and Liam Ellis disappointingly dragged a shot across the face of goal after he had been picked out in the deep by David Steele. And Yeoman saw a half-chance go begging on the stroke of half time following more good work on the counter by Marshall. However, it was the home side that enjoyed the better openings and three times Marcus Jackson went close, most notably denied a goal from a teasing centre that Ian Sampson somehow managed to bundle away. Kevin Hill also kept Tiverton’s goal intact as he was positioned well to nod Liam Daly’s header off the line, and Richard Batchelor headed weakly at Ryan Draper. The second half was one-way traffic as Leamington flew back out of the blocks while Tiverton, perhaps on edge at the prospect of a major upset never got going and looked extremely nervy and increasingly cautious. Draper palmed over a Morley header and then gathered cleanly when Luke Cornett shot from the edge of the area. But after Batchelor spurned another shot the Brakes finally got the equaliser they sought and deserved. Draper saved but couldn't hold from James Rowe, tried to smother the loose ball but managed only to smother Rowe’s feet and concede a penalty. Corbett took the spot kick, leathered the ball down the middle and tied the game. On Leamington pressed but Cornett lobbed a shot over the bar, Jackson, a scourge of Tivvy all afternoon with his energetic play down the right flank fired in a powerful effort that drifted just too high, and Draper once again denied the giant Daly. There was little to concern Breeden at the other end and he remained a spectator for much of the afternoon. Tivvy did make one notable foray into enemy territory thanks to a series of one-twos between Yeoman and Joe Bushin that helped move the Whites the length of the pitch, and when the home defence managed only to half clear their lines with Breeden briefly going for a wander Ian Sampson shot from distance without enough purchase to beat Jamie Hood who had covered for his absent ’keeper. The decisive moment came after some incessant pressure from Leamington with Corbett grabbing his second goal of the afternoon by nodding in James Husband’s free kick at the back stick, a strike of simplicity and one that had been coming for almost half an hour. There was simply no way back for Tiverton. Adam Mortimer replaced Marshall to add some power up front but, having been on the attack for most of the second half Leamington showed they were equally as adept at defending and held onto their lead comfortably through to the full time whistle. Leamington: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Marcus Jackson, James Husband, James Rowe (Matt Lewis 85), Luke Corbett, Richard Batchelor Goals: Corbett 59p, 81 Booked: None Sent off: None Tiverton Town: Ryan Draper, Ian Sampson, Jak Martin, Kevin Hill, Ed Palmer, Adam Faux, David Steele, Colin Marshall (Adam Mortimer 83), Joe Bushin (Ryan Turner 75), Ashley Yeoman, Liam Ellis (Tom Gardner 70) Goal: Morley 3og Booked: None Sent off: None Attendance: 444 |
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