TIVVY ARCHIVE

Kings Langley 3 - 3 Tiverton Town

On the back of encouraging draws against high-flyers Hayes & Yeading and then Gosport, Tiverton would have been optimistic going into the game at Kings Langley, but the positivity created from taking the league pacesetters the distance was not to translate into three points against a home side in the relegation zone. In fact, it was due to a desperate rally towards the end that Tivvy were able to snatch a point, with Dan Hayfield striking twice late on in an epic second half.

The first period was largely forgettable, although both Owen Howe and Matt Wright had headers saved by home goalkeeper Alfie Marriott, with both Hayfield (off target) and Chris Shephard (easily saved) also getting a sight of goal. At the other end, Lewis Williams was largely untested, although he could count himself a little blessed when an early header from Edu clipped the crossbar. Otherwise, it was a battle of attrition in the middle third of the pitch as both sides battled to come to terms with unfamiliar formations and personnel.

By stark contrast, and to the relief of those who had paid to view, the second half was an absolute banger. Well, the second half of the second half, at least. Six goals, a wonderful clearance off the line from Craig Woodman, and a stirring comeback from the Yellows contributed to a frantic and thoroughly enjoyable half-hour or so. Jack Wood opened the scoring for the hosts as he narrowly beat Williams to the ball to prod home, and just a handful of minutes later Wood was hauled down by Gary Warren, allowing Harry Crawford to gobble up the loose ball and double the Kings’ lead.

Shephard cashed in on an error from Marriott to reduce Tiverton’s deficit, but hopes of salvaging something from the game seemed doomed when Sam Dreyer scored a debut goal to restore the home side’s two-goal advantage. Nevertheless, Hayfield had his own ideas and again pegged Tivvy back into contention with eight minutes left on the clock, then in the first minute of added time grabbed his second and Town’s third with a neat effort from the edge of the area which found it’s way through a crowded area, leaving Marriott unsighted.

Kings Langley: Alfie Marriott, Gary Connolly, Alex Lafleur, Erin Amu, Sam Dreyer, Will Hall, Jack Wood, Alfie Williams, Edu Toiny-Pendred, Harry Crawford, Jamie Jells
Goals: Wood 65, Crawford 67, Dreyer 77

Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams, Kyle Egan, Craig Woodman, Aaron Dawson, Gary Warren, Jordan Lam, Louis Morison (Austen Booth 79), Dan Hayfield, Matt Wright (Theo Simpson 79), Owen Howe, Chris Shephard (Nelson Iseguan 76)
Goals: Shephard 72, Hayfield 82, 90+1

Attendance: 182