TIVVY ARCHIVE

The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club


Beaconsfield Town 0 - 2 Tiverton Town

Saturday 01/09/2018   Southern League Premier Division
Jay Richardson

The first meeting between Beaconsfield Town and Tiverton Town saw a win for the men from Devon over their Buckinghamshire counterparts. Tiverton fresh off a bank holiday defeat to Taunton Town were looking to put that game out of their memory banks and comeback strongly at Holloways Park against the Rams.

Tiverton were missing the legend Tom Gardner in defence having picked up an injury on Bank Holiday Monday. Tivvy lined up with Liam Armstrong in goal with a back three of Mike Landricombe, Jamie Price and Man of the Match Benjamin Rocco Mammola. The wing backs were Josh Key and Nick Hurst. The midfield “Engine Room” consisted of the silky River Allen assisted by Harrison Davis with Tom Bath and Harry Evans linking the attack and midfield with Levi Landricombe the furthest forward.

All Tiverton’s early planning went out of the window on six minutes when Harry Evans went into a tackle on the far side of the pitch slipped and slid into the Rams Mayowa Balogun. The sound of their boots colliding made it look worse than it was as many fans commented. To the astonishment of everyone in the ground the referee produced a red card and Tivvy were down to ten men. A quick reshuffle led to Levi Landricombe dropping into midfield to play the Wayne Rooney esq role for the team. Tom Bath was nominated as the willing runner who would chase after everything.

Beaconsfield with the one-man advantage pressed early and Ben Mammola expertly cleared off the line from Charlie Losasso after 11 minutes. Jordan Ajanlekoko then had a shot from distance but Liam Armstrong in the Tiverton goal made it look easy and controlled the ball. Tivvy were working hard at the back and in midfield where Harrison Davis fed an intricate pass for Tom Bath on 22 Minutes, but the pass just failed to beat the last defender. The Rams tried to up the pressure but the trio of Landricombe (Honoury Rhino member), Price and Mammola were not in the mood to give anything away and Mammola snuffed out another attack. There was 28 minutes on the clock when Tivvy broke the deadlock. A long ball from the back left Tom Bath one on one with Luke Neville (No relation to Phil or Gary) and the Tivvy front man outpaced Neville and then drilled the ball past Ravan Constable low down to his left.

Beaconsfield looked to reply at once and hit the Tivvy Crossbar on 30 minutes, but this was about as good as it was to get for the Buckinghamshire team. River Allen his usual all action skilful self then had a shot on the run form 35 yards that had keeper Ravan Constable worried but it went just wide. Tivvy looking to increase their lead then saw an excellent interchange of passes between Tom Bath and Levi Landricombe and the latter had an overhead kick that went just over the bar. Tivvy then had a second blow when the impressive Harrison Davis was forced off after a very heavy tackle and he was replaced by Callum Hall. Fortunately for Tivvy Callum is a like for like replacement. The flow of the game however was not disrupted and Tivvy had further chances from that man Callum Hall and then just before half time from Tom Bath to increase the lead. It was not to be and Beaconsfield were no doubt happy to hear the half time whistle.

The second half saw Beaconsfield have the larger share of possession but in all honesty, they didn’t look like finishing any of their chances. The nearest they came was a penalty decision when Mike Landricombe snuffed out an attack from the Rams and the attacker went down in the penalty area. The referee quite rightly waved away the appeal. Tom Bath who run himself ragged was replaced to healthy applause from the travelling Tivvy fans on 79 minutes by Jordan Rogers. After another shot by Bajram Pashaj had gone past Liam Armstrong’s post via a deflection it was Jordan Rogers who stepped up to the plate. On 85 minutes he spotted Ravan Constable off his line and from 45- 50 yards launched a Beckham esq shot that went a whisker wide of the empty net. Ethan Phillips replaced Josh Key as tired legs set in and he strengthened the midfield and protected the defenders.

Then on 88 minutes after a great River Allen pass to Jordan Rogers the Bristolian sprinted forward beat one defender then spotting an unmarked Levi Landricombe supporting him Jordan unselfishly squared the ball to give Levi his 99th goal in Tivvy colours.

The character of this performance and the togetherness of the team despite going down to ten men was excellent. An FA Cup tie against Bridport awaits next Saturday and Tiverton should go into that match full of confidence. The quality in depth is now apparent and there is competition for places in every position.


Tiverton Town: Liam Armstrong, Josh Key (Ethan Phillips), Nick Hurst, Jamie Price, Ben Mammola, Harrison Davis (Callum Hall), Harry Evans, River Allen, Tom Bath (Jordan Rogers), Levi Landricombe, Mike Landricombe.

Attendance: 76


This report ©2018 Jay Richardson