Match Preview: Tiverton Town V Worcester Raiders
A cycle of two games every week is ongoing at the moment and is a gruelling schedule, but is one that’s being followed by many clubs in our division. It’s Worcester Raiders next for the Yellows' and although it’s early days and varying progress in the cup competitions means the table can be a little misleading, there will be a strong desire in the dressing room for an upturn in results.
Tuesday’s draw and recent disappointments mean there will be an eagerness to find a winning mentality.
The importance of making extended periods of territorial advantage and home advantage count cannot be ignored. A good side is being shaped, but the missing ingredients for a successful recipe are still proving elusive.
Signings Mason Winter and Josh Bissett have both strengthened the squad, but now it’s time to start finding the proof in the pudding. It’s a busy period of fixtures at the club and the much anticipated: Martyn Roger’s Tivvy Legends v Manchester United Legends follows this game on Sunday and promises to be a superb spectacle.
This game though is definitely not on the under-card though, as our loyal supporters will allude to and be desperate for the side to do well on Saturday and will as always be in the team’s corner. Our opponents have acquitted themselves impressively to this point and a 2-1 win on Tuesday night at Melksham has nestled them into an early play off place
Jordan Lewis is the Worcester Raiders boss and he was at the helm last season, when they were promoted from the Hellenic League Premier. His side scored a century of league goals in the process. He managed to keep the bulk of the squad that won a play off final against Droitwich, but also made new additions.
Striker Prince Henry was a very highly rated youngster at Bristol City. I'm sure many fans will remember a short loan spell he had with the Yellows’ in the 2022/23 season. The 23 year old has been, much-travelled since leaving Ashton Gate and had the odd injury lay off as well.
Now fully fit, he has been in impressive scoring form and the tall, strong, athletic and skilful target man will be a big goal threat. Daniel Sturridge's cousin, he has played for; Banbury, Redditch, Bromsgrove Sporting and Barwell previously. As a loanee, he was with; Bromsgrove, Weston Super Mare Yate, Taunton, Alvechurch and ourselves.
Another attacking option is Jordan Murphy. Formerly of Cross-City rivals Worcester City, Murphy has very good pedigree, having played in the EFL with
Walsall. The talented and well-balanced forward also played in the National League for Kidderminster Harriers and Solihull Moors. The 30 year old’s other clubs include; Telford and Halesowen.
Much like our player-manager Asa Hall, attacking midfielder/ forward Stanley Asomugha came through West Brom’s academy. Since his release the 25 year old technical performer put pen to paper on a deal at Alvechurch, where he had been previously on loan. He also represented Hednesford, before joining Raiders this term.
Up and coming striker Manny Olaloko was on the score sheet against Melksham on Tuesday evening and the forward has featured heavily so far this term, having also played for Alvechurch and Leamington on his football journey.
Cam Monteith is a midfielder or full back who has amassed plenty of experience in Senior football. Beginning in Worcester City’s academy, he made over 100 appearances for the first team, before moving to Southern League Premier Central team Redditch. The 25 year old was a Pre-Season acquisition.
23 year old Left back Syrus Warren-Paul, another scorer on Tuesday night is an ex Bromsgrove Sporting player and last season the football-playing defender was plying his trade for league rivals for this campaign Sporting Club Inkberrow.
A mainstay of Raiders’ defence is central defender Sam Kelly. He has had a good football grounding at Hartpury and is an ever-present during this season and the former Hartpury student also gained invaluable experience on loan at Tuffley Rovers.
In possession of the gloves is Charlie Emery who has dual English/Australian citizenship. During his senior career he played in Oz for Western United in the A League. Standing at 6ft 3 inches tall, the Birmingham born keeper returned to England to play for Alvechurch, before signing this term for the visitors and the talented Emery is establishing himself with his new side.
Tiverton will meet a side with momentum, but are more than capable of upsetting the form book. They will check in on the fitness of Asa Hall and the coaching staff will look to pick a side that they think will have the best chance of taking all three points at the weekend.
They will have to dust themselves off and put to one side a result that will have felt more like a loss than a draw, given Paulton’s late equaliser. So let’s get down to the ground and show our support for the lads on Saturday.
