John Ross limits Berkhamsted to three.

Match Report

Saturday February 28th

At The Glencar Community Stadium

Berkhamsted 3

Lacey 32,75 Blake 45+3

Tiverton Town 0

Att:664

Darren Holmes

Tiverton travelled to play off contender's Berkhamsted on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Dorchester on Tuesday night. One notable absentee was player manager Asa Hall who was unable to make the journey to Hertfordshire because of illness.

 Karim Coulibaly winning an aerial duel with fellow TTFC U18 Will Collins, watching on. (Viv Curtis)

Steve Orchard and David Steele's task was also made harder when a late change had to be made prior to kick off, with Brooklyn Wilkins suffering an injury in the pre match warm up. The Yellows’ were without Jaydon Biss too. The Yeovil defender was in the Glover's’ matchday squad, for their FA Trophy Quarter Final, as part of his loan agreement.

Back came Aiden Horne and Jack Kennell into the starting Eleven and young, promising attacking Player's Will Collins and Karim Coulibaly retained their place’s in the team.

The Comrades’ laid siege to our goal soon after the first whistle and John Ross had to deal with a barrage of testing efforts from the home side. In the process he produced Three very good saves in the opening Five minutes and it was already looking like a difficult afternoon for Tivvy.

The host's are a physical, well drilled eleven and with the calibre of player’s like ex Luton Town midfielder Adam Watkins and prolific striker JJ Lacey in their line up, this was always going to ask lots of questions of our largely inexperienced side.

That said, there were a couple of half chances in a nervy beginning from Tiverton as they broke quickly, but ex Slough keeper Charlie Horlock wasn't called into serious action and it was our host's who were the dominant force for the first 15 minutes of the game. Matt Wood's well timed solid challenge appeared to save a certain goal, during that period.

The Yellows’ then settled a little and worked hard to make an imprint in the game. Their effort's almost being rewarded when a Will Collins strike forced Horlock into a very good stop, low down to the corner of his goal, with 23 minutes played.

However, it was Berkhamsted who in the main were in the ascendancy and inspite of some determined defending, our backline was prized open in the 32nd minute. Ross was left one-on-one with the Comrades’ top scorer Lacey and although his initial attempt was saved, at close quarter’s the striker found the empty net.

The remainder of the half was a bit stop-start with hold up's because of Player's going down injured. The Yellows’ struggled to get a foothold in the game and it was very much our talented host's who were calling the shots in a troublesome opening 45.

With the break looming, Tiverton conceded again. Lacey's strike partner Ryan Blake heading powerfully home beyond Ross. That second goal from ex Chesham forward Blake was no more than the home side deserved.

With words of encouragement and fresh instruction from our coaching team ringing in the Player's ears, they returned to the field hoping for an improved showing, in the concluding half.

The team Played a lot more convincingly following the interval and were better in and out of possession. There seemed to be a greater belief amongst the players and they were more competitive. The play was fairly even up to the hour mark. 

Corey Koerner though took one for the team in breaking up a Comrade's attack illegally and a Yellow card was issued. In the 67th minute another promising display from Coulibaly came to an end, with striker Ryan Crawford replacing him.

A Third goal for our host's in the 75th minute realistically put an end to any thoughts of a stirring comeback. A well rehearsed training ground, set-piece ending with Lacey driving into the box and rifling the ball past Ross, to add to his earlier goal. 

There was a second substitute appearance for Harrison Jordan who has been impressing with the Under 18 side, shortly after we went further behind, which is encouraging for the future.

The Yellows’ kept playing positively, displaying neat approach play. However, it was John Ross with a fine goalkeeping performance that was worthy of higher praise, making Three excellent saves in the closing stages and in doing so giving the scoreline a more respectable appearance. In all fairness the team could have had few complaints when the Referee called time at 3-0

The team I'm sure will have learnt a lot during a testing afternoon and will once again be back at home against Havant & Waterlooville on Tuesday night. The two sides met on the previous weekend, so there is bound to be an air of familiarity under the light's at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium. The Hawks won the first encounter 3-2.

Tiverton: Ross(gk), Billington, Wood, Down(c), Koerner, Kennell, Stephens, Wellington, Coulibaly(67), Horne, Collins(76)

Subs: Crawford(67), Harrison(76), Wilkins