Late Drama In Midweek Devon Vs Somerset Battle
A lack of ruthlessness as Tiverton dominated in the first half, once again meant that instead of having a two or three goal cushion, the Yellows' arrived at the interval level. It would be easy to say, see Sholing and Gosport match reports, as this has become a continuing trend and the second halves of matches are not quite playing out the same.
Tivvy welcomed back captain Ed Palmer, Mason Winter, Josh Bissett and Ryan Keates to the matchday eleven. Asa Hall nursing an injury, Billy Tucker, Matt Wood and Jack Kennell were those that were replaced, as the coaching team reshuffled the pack. The games are coming thick and fast and this also has a bearing on team selection.
The Yellows' assumed control of this game early on, with the exciting direct running of Josh Bissett carving out an opportunity for himself with only a few minutes gone. It was a routine save from Archie Matthews, but it lit the torch paper of what was to follow, with Asa Hall’s men in the ascendancy.
Wave after wave of Tiverton attacks exerted pressure on Paulton’s backline. A foul on the heavily involved Jacob Wellington appeared to be inside the box, but a free kick was given, much to the derision of our loyal support behind the goal in the 12th minute.
Owen Howe then got on the end of some sublime control from J. Wellington in the box, as his chest pass found the Tivvy striker whose thunderbolt cleared the bar, but illustrated how on top Tivvy were in the first half. This was backed up by J.Wellington then conjuring up a chance for himself, but he screwed his shot wide from a tight angle, just prior to us reaching the 20 minute mark.
The dangerous Bissett persevered with his committing of defenders and sent a lot of inviting crosses into Rover’s area. Unfortunately though there were no takers and the game remained on a knife-edge. The Paulton forward line were getting little change out of the Yellows’ backline and the driving and creative Keates and Koerner were probing in possession.
A lot of the action then took place more in central areas. Then as often happens one side creates numerous chances and the other only needs one to score.
On the first occasion Paulton had seriously threatened, a searching, but accurate ball into the box was expertly and instantly controlled by Dylan Gould. He spun and then shot, dispatching the ball beyond Louis Smith. It was a goal of real quality and this gave the North Somerset side the lead and was a lesson in being clinical.
Tiverton were soon back on the front foot and after producing some probing interplay, Owen Howe slid in at the back post to restore parity five minutes after they had gone behind. More telling wing-play from Bissett and an Aaron Wellington shot had preceded the ball finding its way through to Howe.
The Yellows' regained control after the equaliser and forced a corner almost directly from the restart. A last ditch tackle on Howe, just as he was about to pull the trigger, then resulted in another corner in quick succession. Robert’s long range screamer, then clipped the bar in first half stoppage time. However, Paulton remained resolute and the sides returned to the dressing rooms on even terms.
Tiverton however lost the momentum they had built in the first half and it was the visitors’ who had slightly the better of the concluding half and a familiar outcome followed.
Both teams were wrestling for the ascendancy in the opening exchanges of the second period and Finn Roberts hung up a cross that marginally evaded converging Yellows', with Paulton stretched. Although the team were not able to recapture their dominance from the first 45 minutes and the visitors’ were able to get a foothold in the game.
Without testing Louis Smith, Rovers were edging possession and posing a greater threat at that time and looking more likely, as far as scoring the next goal. Billy Tucker was then introduced, with the hardworking Ryan Keates being sacrificed. Tucker’s introduction was met by excitement by our fans who have taken him to their hearts.
The attacking midfielder was quickly into his stride and was, along with Bissett, a threat in the remainder of the game. Although it has to be said that Tiverton were very fortunate when the Referee judged that Paulton’s number one Matthews had fouled Tucker in Paulton’s box. This angered the away side.
Up stepped Roberts fresh from his explosive strike from the spot against Gosport and he made no mistake, in firing conclusively into the corner. However, after that 64th minute penalty Tiverton looked a bit laboured and this boosted the away side's confidence and gave them a belief that turned the screw on a passive Yellows’.
In the 73rd minute against the run of play, the ball was played through to Howe who controlled with his chest, before trying to lob Matthews’ who had rushed out to meet him. Matthews was able to make a crucial save that deflected the ball onto the post and prevented his side from being in further arrears.
With Fifteen minutes to go, nerves were jangling amongst the home set of supporters, with Tiverton looking far from convincing and Rovers becoming the better side in possession. Tivvy were struggling to string passes together and then the impressive Bissett was withdrawn after going down with a spot of cramp. Aiden Horne took his place in the 85th minute.
Apart from a few wayward shots and some good handling from Smith, Paulton weren’t able to make their pressure count. However, with time running out and with the game moving into added time, they found a second moment of clinicalness.
Leighton Tuodolo found ex Bristol City academy and Weston Super Mare player Brandon Bak out wide and he worked the space for himself well in taking the ball past two or three Tivvy players, before emphatically drawing his side level and keeping his side ahead of Asa Hall’s men, in the table.
There was little time to respond, although Tiverton did have a goal ruled out for offside when Roberts arrowed a free kick into the visitor’s box and Palmer’s volleyed finish momentarily seemed to have given us the win. Although an offside flag was raised and the Yellows’ were once again made to regret not putting a team away, when they were on top.
The North Somerset side managed to see the rest of the game out and deserved their draw. Tiverton are aware of their inability to finish teams off and realise that this is going to be a long campaign if they have difficulties in adopting a ruthless streak to their displays.
A fifth of six successive home games is on the agenda for the Yellows'. On Saturday they face a Worcester Raiders side that have positioned themselves impressively in an early play off place. A 2-1 victory at Melksham amounted to their night’s work on Tuesday. So let’s get down to the ground and give our all for the lads at the weekend.
Tiverton: Smith(GK), Winter, Palmer(C), Slough, Koerner, A. Wellington, Keates(57), J.Wellington, Roberts, Bissett(85), Howe
Subs: Tucker(57), Horne(85), Hall, Wood, Pryce- Hall
