Magical Occasion at Tivvy Vs Manchester United
It was a fantastic day and spectacle at the Slee Blackwell stadium, as the Tivvy Legends took on The Man U legends in a thoroughly enjoyable match. With a sizable crowd in place and a real family atmosphere around the ground and vendors providing a good selection of food, the game kicked off in blazing sunshine. In the absence of manager Martyn Rogers who had a prior arrangement , Scott Rogers was in charge of team affairs.
With mobile and technical players like Danny Webber, Chris Eagles and Danny Pugh in the Red Devils line up and a defence marshalled by serial trophy winner and former England international Wes Brown, the visitors raced into a three goal lead with less than 20 minutes on the clock.
After the Man U Legends took their foot off the gas a little, the Tivvy Legends got their passing game together. Joe Bushin rounded goalkeeper Nick Culkin to leave a Tiverton team featuring familiar faces; record appearance maker Tom Gardner, Neil Saunders, Mike Booth, FA Vase hero Pete Varley, Jason Matthews, Jamie Mudge and current first team coach David Steele, amongst many other favourites, trailing 4-1 at the break.
Changes were made by both sides at the interval and during the second half, Matt Kilgallon (guesting) , along with Russell Beardsmore entered the field of play for United, with the classy Wes Brown hampered by an injury departing and Burnley academy lead coach Chris Casper taking the captain’s armband.
Assistant manager Steve Orchard was introduced and put in some testing crosses and a corner that rebounded off of Culkin’s crossbar. Ex Yellows’ skipper Jamie Price was deployed in a forward role and enjoyed a personal duel with keeper Culkin who made a few good saves to deny him.
Exmouth Town manager Kevin Hill and fellow Tivvy favourites Ben Mammola, Rob Norrish and Richard Pears were introduced, along with Scott Rogers, as fans young and old saw flashes of the player’s former self's in a more even second half. Excellent possession football and creativity was on display from the sides, with the lively Webber continuing to cause problems.
There was a neat piece of link up play, when Kilgallon lifted a pass into Pugh’s path with clear ground ahead of him and he expertly finished. The goal of the game though belonged to Tivvy Legend’s Joe Bushin. He completed his brace with an explosive strike from a full 35 yards out, as Man U Legends ran out 6-2 winners.
It was great to see this event well supported and the half time competitions on the pitch for the youngsters, proving popular and the autograph hunters were out in force, with the welcoming Man U players signing things for them.
Special mention to first team physio Ellie who was on hand to take care of a lady that fell ill on the day and a big thank you to all the volunteers for working hard to make this event a successful one, on a busy but great football day out in the sunshine.
