Four Goals, Four Unbeaten For The Yellows
Asa Hall’s men backed up Tuesday evening’s home victory against Hartpury, with a comprehensive win on the road at Shaftesbury. The Dorset side was packed with experienced players who have played higher up the non league ladder and their line up included prolific ex EFL Marksman Brett Pitman and former Bristol Rovers and Yeovil winger Alefe Santos, who briefly played for the Yellows.
Tiverton named the re-signed Toby Stephens on the bench. A strong looking selection of replacements joined him, with Billy Tucker, Louie Slough, Ryan Keates and Finn Roberts all waiting in the wings. Aiden Horne was unavailable, so the coaching staff decided on a 3-4-3 formation. Josh Bissett and Jacob Wellington deployed as wingers with Owen Howe up top.
Louis Smith was between the sticks and the back three consisted of Mason Winter, Captain Ed Palmer and Matt Wood. In front of them was a midfield four of; Aaron Wellington, Jack Kennell, Asa Hall and Corey Koerner.
Into their stride from the outset and playing with the wind, both Bissett and J.Wellington had already signalled their threat when the former was found just inside the Rockies half. He twisted and turned at pace up against his full back, putting him on the backfoot and only a desperate block once Bissett had entered the area, meant damage limitation in forcing his shot behind for a corner.
It was actually the Yellows’ second corner and from the earlier one Captain Palmer was crowded out when the ball fell to him.
On this occasion Shaftesbury’s keeper, Bashley loanee Oscar Glover who was being forcefully challenged by Yellows’, couldn’t get much purchase on his punch and from around 12 yards out Tivvy’s centre back did let fly. It was a no- nonsense strike and although it flicked off a defender, the ball didn’t change direction and disappeared into the back of the net. Palmer opening the scoring.
So many times so far this season Tiverton have come out, “all guns blazing”, without taking early chances, so this was pleasing to see. Shaftesbury couldn’t get going, as the visitors swarmed all over them. Kennell in particular was first to the second balls and was creative and tidy with his distribution.
The Yellows’ had a stranglehold on the game and on both wings, were continually causing issues for the Rockies. Koerner was driving forward and linking to very good effect with J.Wellington out on hosts right and Winter was wisely feeding danger man Bissett, at every opportunity.
Successive corners followed, as Bissett’s speed of thought and clever feet made his marker retreat and inviting crosses were cleared to safety. From the first, Hall headed on at the near post, but no-one could quite turn home and then Bissett got to the by-line and picked out A. Wellington with his Cut- back. Although, the midfielder screwed wide with a rampant Tivvy very much on top.
Then with 23 minutes played, in the second phase of play, after the probing J.Wellington was fouled deep in the host’s half, Howe hung up a cross that reached Wood, but from close range he wasn’t able to direct his header under the crossbar.
It was relentless from the visitors and Palmer was next to go close. Regularly moving into advanced positions and pushing the team forward, after being involved earlier in the move, he continued into the box and received the ball around the penalty spot, on the turn. He spun and shot powerfully, but his attempt was deflected wide and added to the corner count.
Hall, who had been spreading the play nicely, then got on the end of a pass at the by-line. His control and manoeuvring of the ball, allowed him the space to look up and deliver a cross of the highest quality and Howe’s thumping header forced his pinpoint ball into the box, home.
With about ten minutes of the half still remaining it was no more than Tiverton deserved. Smith was rarely troubled between the sticks, but was alive to potential dangers, on the odd occasion the home side found themselves in a position to threaten.
However, it was the Yellows' who were the dominant side and only some last-ditch defending prevented a third before the break. This was as good as the side have played and every single one of the players made telling contributions on a 3G surface conducive to good football.
There was predictably a reaction from our hosts when the match resumed and a few minutes into the concluding half, a contentious penalty award, saw Pitman reduce the arrears. For the first 15 minutes of the half Asa Hall’s side struggled to regain the momentum of the first period and were wasteful in possession.
During that time, they owed a debt of gratitude to Gloveman, Smith. The Rockies opened up Tiverton’s backline and our number one produced an outstanding one-on-one save, made more difficult with the recovering Koerner colliding with him at the same time. Koerner stayed down, but was soon back up on his feet.
There were then a few signs of Tivvy returning to the quality of the football that they had played in the opening half and a superb piece of interplay between A. Wellington and Bissett restored the two goal cushion.
Shaftesbury were holding a high line and had pushed forward.
Wellington senior received the ball on the half way line with his momentum taking him back into the Yellows’ half briefly. He prized open the defensive line by turning an intelligent short pass beyond their flat-footed central defensive pairing and onto the onrushing and alert Bissett, whose sublime finish in lifting over the exposed Glover helped to manufacture the goal of the game.
The third goal arrived just after the hour mark and this saw them reassume control of the game. Toby Stephens came on, as Hall made way in the 65th minute and the Rockies’ were pegged back. In the engine room Kennell and A. Wellington were picking up the loose ball and often setting the wheels in motion for the team to surge forward. The overlapping, technical Koerner was also to the fore.
Everything seemed to be clicking again as the Yellows’ were back in groove. Bissett and J.Wellington were giving their markers a torrid time from their wide berths. A free kick was won in the 70th minute after a skilful run from J.Wellington was halted by a trip on him.
The free kick found the assembled wall, but Tiverton recycled and forced a corner. A spot of pinball followed the delivery in and back’s to the wall defending, ensuring that the visitors didn’t add to their score.
Aaron Wellington then arrowed a corner in, to give him a second assist in the game. The irrepressible Palmer was perfectly placed just outside the six yard box at the back post and despite his initial effort being blocked, he lashed home a second effort into the roof of the net.
Shortly after our fourth Billy Tucker then replaced Bissett, who had been tremendous once again. With a fraction over ten minutes left, Palmer entertained the travelling support with some show-boating around the centre circle and further substitutions saw both Roberts and Keates come on.
The Yellows' though because they had taken quite a few of the chances that they had created were home and hosed. The game ending 4-1 and a very impressive afternoon in Dorset from the players and coaching staff was witnessed by a decent away support.
Games are coming thick and fast for Tiverton! They are on the road once again on Tuesday night, as they travel to Cornwall, when 11th placed Tivvy will have 9th placed Falmouth lying in wait. Our opponents conceded two late goals at Hungerford, to be on the losing end of their game on Saturday.
There will definitely be no room for complacency then, as Tiverton will be looking for more points and to bottle a winning mentality, after a slow start to their league campaign. However, top marks for a brilliant showing yesterday.
Tiverton: Smith(GK), Winter, Palmer(C), Wood, A.Wellington(89), Kennell, Hall(65), Koerner, Bissett(78), J.Wellington(85), Howe
Subs: Stephens(65),Tucker(78), Roberts(85), Keates(89), Slough
Shaftesbury 1
Pitman pen 48
Tiverton 4
Palmer 5,76 Howe 36 Bissett 62
