Match Preview: St Blazey Vs Tiverton Town in The Emirates FA Cup

The Yellows' FA Cup trail continues with a journey to Cornwall. A visit to St Blazey was their reward for victory in the last round against Ivybridge.Tiverton will have to produce their most complete performance of the campaign so far, if they’re to proceed further in this season’s competition.

Saturday’s hosts are unbeaten in all competitive fixtures and were the conquerors of Barnstaple in the previous round. The second placed Western League Premier side’s latest victims were big spending Clevedon Town. 3-2 being Saturday’s scoreline.

It’s been a mixed bag for Tivvy who were pegged back on Bank Holiday Monday, with an early second half Exmouth goal and Finn Roberts getting his marching orders, before eventually falling to a 2-1 loss. However, the win a few days earlier in the Trophy versus Bideford highlighted the Yellows’ search for consistency.

Asa Hall and his coaching team will I’m sure have reflected on the Exmouth game and targeted areas of improvement, for this intriguing cup tie. There is nothing more satisfying in non league football than being part of FA cup success, as a collective or as an individual.

At least one enforced change will have to be made and quite a few players will be in contention when the player- manager names his starting eleven. The backline has in the main been functioning well, but captain Ed Palmer and the players will be tested at the weekend.

Formed as a junior side in the late 19th century, Saturday’s cup opponents acquired senior status in 1910. The Cornwall side were a successful force in the old South Western League, winning the top Cornish division on no fewer than Thirteen occasions. St Blazey held a British football record of 75 league games unbeaten, across the 2001/2 and 2002/3 seasons.

In 2007 the South West Peninsula League was founded. It was a merger between the South Western League and the Devon County League and the Blaise Park team took their place in the newly formed league, gaining promotion to the Western League in 2023. Over the years they have included Tivvy favourites Levi Landricombe and River Allen in their line ups.

Manager Dan Hart’s current crop features brothers Jordan and Aaron Bentley. Both made appearances in the EFL for Plymouth Argyle and the accomplished defenders also have made appearances for the Yellows’.

Jordan, arriving at Ladysmead, following an injury that ended his hopes of a pro career and Aaron Bentley played a solitary game for Tiverton versus Gosport, scooping a Man of the Match award in a match that eased relegation worries in the 2018/19 season.

The two technical central defenders will form a solid spine for the Green & Blacks. 27 year old Jordan has additionally played for Helston and 30 year old Aaron made 56 Truro appearances and has additionally represented Plymouth Parkway, Tavistock and Helston.

Experienced and talented ex Parkway,  Truro, Taunton and Helston keeper Kyle Moore is in possession of the gloves. But there is strength between the sticks with teenager Mac Dewsnap pushing him hard for the number one spot. A keeper of blossoming ability, he trained with Argyle in the summer.

Right back and captain Will Tinsley is an influential player at Blaise Park. A strong performer in the Western League, he is formerly of Mousehole. Attacking midfielder Tallan Mitchell spent numerous seasons at Mousehole and his cultured displays for his previous club and our hosts, should mean him being earmarked as a threat in the final third.

21 year old striker Kai Burrell has been catching the eye this term and courting plenty of interest. A prolific season for the Yellows’ opponents in the previous round, Ivybridge Town last term, saw him notch 22 goals from 33 starts. With that ability to conjure something out of nothing, Asa Hall’s men will need to be on their guard.

Versatile midfield schemer Ben Fowles arrived from Tavistock ahead of the season and has fitted seamlessly into the side. Homegrown talent and fellow midfielder or attacker Harry Blows scored a key goal against Barnstaple in the previous tie and is highly thought of at the club.

Teigan Rosenquest is another ex-yellow who is part of Dan Hart’s squad and the skilful winger, has also plied his trade for; Tavistock, Buckland, Bideford and Barnstaple. Hart used to be in charge at Buckland and was appointed St Blazey manager at the turn of the year.

A decent support is anticipated to cheer on Tivvy and opportunity knocks to make this trip a worthwhile one. The Green and Blacks will definitely not be daunted by the prospect of facing us and confidence will be high at the club. Although, destiny is in our hands and I’m sure the players will be giving their all in this Cup encounter and looking to make progress.