One Last Dance This Season for Yellows.

Match Preview

Tiverton Town v Farnham Town

Saturday April 25th

3pm Kick Off

At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

On Saturday Tiverton play their 42nd and final league game of their challenging campaign. The curtain also comes down on a Nine season stay in the Southern Premier League South. Our destination was confirmed at the end of March, but was one that became a likely reality a few months before.

This though is definitely not a meaningless fixture, as for our Opponents the outcome could affect their position in the Play Offs. Although they have secured a place in them and are riding high in the Runners Up position, anything other than a win here could see Gloucester overtake them and have a more favourable semi final tie.

A professional and honourable approach from the players should be the order of the day, In this season ending encounter, for that and many other reasons. Relegation is always a difficult and often shattering experience, but we have to accept that we haven’t been good enough and strive to do better in the future.

The emergence of young players is heartening to see, but the club as a whole will need to regroup and learn from a season that has often been one of damage limitation. I'm sure many will be working hard in the off season to readdress the balance.

When Saturday comes; Asa Hall and his management team will be looking to send out as strong a side as possible, to face a Farnham team who are eyeing a third successive promotion. On Monday night they lost 1-0 at Taunton, a result that meant survival for the Peacocks. 

The Surrey side weren't quite at full strength then, with manager Paul Johnson citing in an interview numerous reasons for that including; a cup final a few days later, playing 4 games in 8 days, injuries to a number of defenders and work commitments. 

Additionally, in a few mind games with play off rivals Gloucester, he suggested that they won’t be able to rest a few on Saturday following this result. They won their cup final on penalties.

One for fans of Love Island, Runner up Harry Cooksley is a member of this Farnham team.  The talented midfielder who was part of Reading's and QPR's academies as a youngster, played briefly in the EFL for Aldershot and was with AFC Wimbledon. Familiar league rivals Farnborough and Hartley Wintney have also sought his services.

Town are the Third highest goalscorers in the league. Their total of 87 has been helped in  no small part by their ability to have players across the team who have chipped in with double figures. 

Striker Owen Dean has been productive and has been influential in the Three last season's, in a hugely successful period for the club.

He has scored at a rate of almost a goal every other game and this term has a total of 14 from 40 matches.

Wideman Bobby-Joe Taylor is a vastly experienced technician. Playing in the EFL for Cambridge United and having a youth career with Chelsea and Gillingham, the 31 year old has plenty of non league pedigree. 

He played over 200 games in the National league. Taylor’s previous clubs include; Maidstone, Bromley, Dover, Aldershot and Dorking. The cultured performer had a loan spell with Walton & Hersham last term, from Dorking and was a pre-season recruit.

Former Bracknell captain and another ex Dorking player Seb Bowerman joined the cause for the backend of the season and the goalscoring winger is another skilful player with qualities that are very much in demand.

He has 12 goals in total this season and the well- balanced Bowerman was highly regarded whilst playing further up the football pyramid with Dorking. His knowhow could be vital in the season's remaining matches.

Midfielder Billy Clifford spent eleven years with Chelsea's academy sides. As a young Pro with the Premier League team, he was a loanee with; Colchester, Walsall and Crawley. Overall he made 84 EFL appearances.

The 33 yr old has also played in Belgium for Royal Antwerp, in the National League for Ebbsfleet and Barnet and a host of other non league clubs, that include; Havant & Waterlooville, Wealdstone, Slough, Billericay and Farnborough for whom he played for 28 times in National League South this term, before becoming a late addition for Town.

Accomplished fellow midfielder Matt Mackenzie is a tall, ball playing central midfielder, who often starred against us for Hanwell. A strong, physical player too, his capture was a bit of a coup for Farnham and he has featured heavily for his new club.

31 yr old central defender and defensive lynchpin, with strong leadership qualities Ryan Kinnane, has been an Inspiring figure for Farnham in their promotion seasons and this present one. The ex Hayes & Yeading and Berkhamsted man is the visitor's captain.

Ex Coventry City defender Brandon Mason is also a notable force in the away side's backline. Mason began his senior career at Watford for whom he played in the Premier League. He was an academy product with the Hornets.

Mason, still only 28, also represented St Mirren and Dundee, north of the border. Crawley Town were another EFL club for the talented defender. Mason's other football destinations have been; Wealdstone and St Albans.

Utility player Tom Leggett was a free transfer from Salisbury. A mainstay this season for Town, he was a hugely integral part of his former club's promotion push a few seasons back. He is a product of Aston Villa's academy and can play a number of positions in both defence and midfield.

After four seasons establishing himself as Bracknell's number one, Goalkeeper Michael Eacott moved to the Memorial Ground (Farnham's ground) back in October. The gifted and commanding gloveman has furthered his reputation between the sticks for promotion chasing Town.

As fans it's time to get behind the team for one last time. They will need us to be the Twelfth man, in this extremely testing finale. I'm sure the lad's will give it their all and hope to end the season with a positive display. So, let's get down to the ground and support the lads.