TIVVY ARCHIVE

The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club


Walton Casuals 1 - 3 Tiverton Town

Saturday 17/08/2019   Southern League Premier Division
Tivvy Archive

Revitalised after a summer of changes, and invigorated from a welcome if unlikely comeback victory at Poole four days earlier, Tiverton Town are again making pretences on their ability to flirt with the Southern League big-boys. Seven points from a possible nine is nothing unusual: this time last season we had a full house, yet still had to battle against relegation in April, so the time for back-slapping congratulations will be put on hold; nevertheless, it shows the mettle of the team to be able to wrestle a result from a losing position again, and credit is where credit is due.

Tivvy lined up with Jordan Bentley in defence, and otherwise unchanged from the team that came from behind to win at Poole. Noah Smerdon was absent through illness and, despite promising showings, Jordan Bastin had to make do with a place on the bench.  For Walton Casuals, there was a late, late change as their captain Nathan Webb had to withdraw just ahead of kick-off, giving Brendan Murphy-McVey the chance to impress again.

The opportunity was taken when, seventeen minutes in Cheyce Grant swapped passes with Murphy McVey and curled a shot past Lewis Williams to put the hosts in front. Arguably against the run of play – both Steve Colwell and Jered Lewington had had sighters for the Yellows – but it was a lead that the home side would go on to justify for the remainder of the first half.

Tivvy goalkeeper Williams had to be on his guard to save strongly from both Murphy-McVey and Rohdell Gordon, while at the other end Tivvy were not able to work Alex Tokarczyk, a blocked effort from Lewington, and a wayward shot from Chris Shephard the best the visitors could muster.

The second period opened with a chance apiece: Williams saving from Cheyce Grant, and then Shephard seeing his effort denied by Tokarczyk, but Tivvy were turning the screw, and drew themselves level when Nick Grimes followed up on a Lewington show that Tokarczyk could not hold.

River Allen then put the Yellows in from for the first time with a well-executed volley as Tiveton exerted themselves on the game. Bastin went close, Lewington went closer with a shot against the post, and then he finally got his name on the scoresheet with a cool finish from Allen’s through ball.

At the whistle Tiverton sit second in the table. No time to get excited, and stern tests await. However, there is reason for cautious optimism as a team concocted from experience a raw local talent take on the task of not only playing from Southern League respectability, but also to try and entertain. This is one thing that has been sorely lacking at Ladysmead for many years, and the fans will be forgiving if results are sometimes forfeited in lieu of progressive football.


Walton Casuals: Alex Tokarczyk, Crossley Lema, Callum Webb (Arjun Jung 79), Joe Morrison, Jay Gasson, Michael Atkinson, Cheyce Grant, Manos Gogonas, Arel Amu (George Pilbeam 75), Brendan Murphy-McVey, Rohdell Gordon
Goal: Grant 17

Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams, Jordan Dyer, Jordan Bentley, George Nancekivell, Michael Landricombe, Nick Grimes (Isaac Furness 90), Steve Colwell, River Allen, Jared Lewington, Olaf Koszela (Jordan Bastin 64), Chris Shephard (Tyler Elliott 81)
Goals: Nick Grimes 63, River Allen 68, Jared Lewington 87

Attendance: 186


This report ©2019 Tivvy Archive