TIVVY ARCHIVE

Harrow Borough 1 - 5 Tiverton Town

Yes, the start of this report will look very similar to that of the opening lines from the win over Hendon the last time the Yellows were on the road, as they picked up their first ever league win over Harrow Borough, having only played twice in the league before today and both of which ended in a stalemate last season, although the facts of the match are considerably different from the win under the back drop of Wembley Stadium. Many will point to the fact that the Yellows latest high scoring win was helped along the way by `refereeing decisions`, both of which even Harrow fans struggled to disagree with, but they clinically emphasised their numerical advantage and by the full time whistle they had scored 49 league goals in just their 18th match.

First half goals from Key and Allen quickly had the Yellows in control before the hosts reduced the arrears shortly before half time through Shaun Preddie and the scoring was completed in the second half via messrs. Bastin, Shephard and a second of the afternoon for Allen. New signings forward Alex Fletcher and defender Michael Peck, both of whom had joined on one month loan deals from Plymouth Argyle on the previous day, were drafted straight into the squad, Fletcher started in place of the unavailable George Nancekivell and Peck had to make do with a place amongst the substitutes while the hosts welcomed their own debutant, goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond who had joined on loan from Championship side Fulham to replace the injured Hafed Al-Droubi.

The first meaningful action of the afternoon saw the Yellows take the lead on ten minutes after some brilliant work on the Yellows right from Fletcher, who was awarded Man of the Match, saw him somehow escape the attention of three Harrow defenders and deliver a pinpoint cross which Josh Key headed home for his third goal in three matches. George Moore almost brought Harrow level instantly but Williams denied him with a smart save before River Allen doubled the lead on twenty-five. Fletcher again was heavily involved as it was his shot that was handled on the line by Josh Andrew, who became the first of the two dismissals of the afternoon and from the resulting spot kick, Allen smashed high past Ashby-Hammond to banish the memory of his penalty miss in the 3-2 defeat to Gosport last time out.

Shaun Preddie got the ten men back in to contention shortly before the interval as a corner caused havoc in the Yellows penalty area and Preddie bundled home on forty-one and at the start of the second period it was they who looked more likely to score again before their cause was further impeded on fifty-one as Tom Scott was given the second straight red of the afternoon for a high tackle on Steve Colwell and from then on there was only ever going to be one winner. Jordan Bastin tapped home a River Allen cross on sixty-four for his seventh league goal and Chris Shephard further extended the Yellows advantage as he tapped home on sixty-nine after Key had sprinted clear and squared to him and River Allen added his second and the visitors fifth in the final minute and only some outstanding second half saves from the hosts goalkeeper Ashby-Hammond denied Smerdon a second half hat-trick and kept the score respectable.

Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams, Pierce Mitchell (Michael Peck 70), Noah Smerdon, Steve Colwell, Michael Landricombe, Jordan Dyer, Josh Key (Luke Mortimore 74), River Allen, Alex Fletcher, Jordan Bastin, Chris Shephard (Tyler Elliott 72)
Goals: Josh Key 10 River Allen 25(p), 90 Jordan Bastin 64 Chris Shephard 69

Attendance: 150