Pre Season Match Preview: Tiverton Town v Brixham AFC

Saturday July 18th

3pm Kick Off

At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

Darren Holmes

Home fans will be able to cast an eye over the new squad for the 2026/27 campaign. After dropping into Division One South of the Southern League, Asa Hall’s new look squad returns to home soil for their fourth game of pre-season.

Two wins and a loss is their record so far and the players will be determined to achieve a win in front of the Yellows’ faithful, putting Tuesday night’s defeat behind them, as they build up match fitness in preparation for the beginning of the forthcoming season.

Lewis Flowers Vs Bridgwater United (Viv Curtis)

Talented youngsters like goalkeeper Louis Smith, defenders Lewis Flowers and Finn Hodge are part of squad that includes the likes of notable non league player Ed Palmer, established performers at this level Louie Slough and Finn Roberts, along with many popular players from last season, who will be amongst playing options for the manager and his coaching team.

Prior commitments always makes full availability difficult in the summer, but I’m sure that as strong a line up as possible will take to the field against Brixham on Saturday. Our visitors arrive at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, after a very creditable 2-0 home loss to Torquay.

Former Wellington boss Richard Cherry is the newly appointed first team manager for the Fishermen. He started coaching in the academy at Exeter City, before managing the Tangerines in 2023. He was on the books of Gillingham and Colchester as a player and starred for non league Hendon.

Brixham rose to new heights when they became a Southern League side after winning promotion from the Western League in the 2024/25 season and although they weren’t able to stave off relegation in the last campaign, they can be proud of this achievement.

Centre forward Charlie Johansen had a stellar season, leading the line. The 28 year old striker found the net on 12 occasions from just 21 appearances. Match winning braces in the FA cup versus Falmouth and Clevedon and a habit of scoring late goals, make him one to watch.

Much of the Fishermans’ recent success has coincided with the playing career of Keiran Parkin. The midfielder or forward is a scorer of crucial goals and is an accomplished player. He was once a target for Tiverton. Briefly stepping away due to work commitments, the 29 year old former captain returned during last season. 

Captain Ryan Beattie was a young pro with Torquay between 2008 and 2010 and led his side in Southern League Division One South. After joining the club in the 2022/23 campaign, the 35 year old quickly established himself as a key and influential figure. He can operate in both midfield or defence.

A player with strong defensive qualities and good pedigree, having played higher up the football pyramid is Callum Rose. The 27 year old centre back has made 200 Southern League appearances and the majority of those were in Southern Premier League South, with familiar rivals Dorchester and Plymouth Parkway.

The goalkeeping position in the Torquay game was taken up by Marko Radovanovic, who of course was very recently between the sticks for the Yellows’. The popular Australian keeper is trialling at the moment and we wish him well.

Brixham have lots of emerging players, from their own youth ranks and quite a few that have been released by Torquay. This appears to be another very competitive match up on paper and our eagerly anticipated first game at home will soon be with us.