PRE SEASON PREVIEW: TTFC V SHIREHAMPTON

Match Preview

Tiverton Town v Shirehampton

Tuesday 21st July

7.45 pm Kick off

At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

 (Brixham Report below)

Darren Holmes

Next up for the Yellows’ are Bristol side Shirehampton. They compete in Western League Division 1 and manager Liam Greening will bring his squad to the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, for the first game of the season to be played under the light’s, in this 7.45 kick off.

It was extremely concerning to see Brixham player Fin Herbert who required hospital treatment to be without an ambulance for so long on Saturday. However, he didn’t require an overnight stay, but is heavily bruised. We all wish him a strong recovery.

The early abandonment of that match will mean that Asa Hall and his coaching team will be keen to build on the promising start they made then and to continue working on the stamina and fitness of their playing staff.

With the Taunton game on the horizon, you get a feeling that we are beginning to see close to the  line up that will start that game. It will be fascinating to see which players impress on Tuesday evening or those who force their way into the manager’s reckoning.

Shirehampton, who were founded in 1952 and are known as the Shire, narrowly edged out league rivals Longwell Green in their previous pre-season fixture, by a 4-3 scoreline and have some talented players in their ranks.

You’ll have to excuse some of this information may be out of date, as some players may have moved on in pre-season.

Kieran Webster was the club’s number one last term and has earned a reputation for saving penalties and pulling off match winning saves. Before joining our visitors he played at Radstock and Cheddar who are affectionately known as the Cheesemen.

Centre back Keith Kearney was part of Rochdale’s academy in the early part of his football journey and also represented Northern Ireland internationally at both under 18 and under 19 levels. Now 26 he has prior to this been a commanding defensive leader for Roman Glass and Bitton.

Often playing alongside him is Ben Adam formerly of Cribbs, who is another solid,dependable and influential part of this Shire outfit. 

Cody Vile is a speedy defender, who can be utilised across the backline. Dual registered with Bristol Manor Farm last season the 23 year old is thought highly of within the dressing room and received the Player’s player award for his performances in the last campaign.

Blossoming midfield prospect, teenager Alfie Bradburn was part of Bristol Rover’s community football programme and is with Gloucester City’s youth set up. He has represented the Tiger’s first team in a cup game against Bishops Cleeve.

Attacking midfielder or forward Louis Snailham is often a provider of goals and is an instinctive player. His ability to find the net at reserve level, elevated him up to the first team, he was previously at Keynsham.

Versatile forward or attacking midfielder Ryan Radford has had plenty of goal involvements for the Shire, by the way of assists and finding the net himself. He also spent time at Bristol Manor Farm. 

Goalscoring midfielder Dan Spicer has been another constant and is a real creative spark for Liam Greening’s men and Ciaran Wall in a similar capacity is a strong all rounder who operates either in midfield or as a forward. He has acquired the knack of coming up with important strikes.

Asa Hall and his troops will expect a very competitive game and will take nothing for granted when the whistle blows. With the new season drawing ever closer, attention to detail, implementing tactics and honing formations and understandings will be high on the agenda.

Pre-season Match Review

Tiverton 2 Brixham 0 (Abandoned due to suspected series injury)

A mini review of Saturday's abandoned game against Brixham.

At a scorching Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, Tiverton found themselves 2-0 up, through goals from Jacob Wellington and Aiden Horne before the first water break, which was called at the midway point in the first half. 

Tiverton stamped their authority on the match from the outset, when Wellington volleyed home in the 2nd minute, following an enterprising, flowing move that started just inside the Fisherman’s half. Corey Koerner crossed deep, just beyond the back post and then Horne teed up Wellington who supplied the finish . 

It was encouraging to see the fast starting Yellows’ settle early into good game tempo, appear organised and play cohesively.

Asa Hall’s men looked as convincing as they had been during pre-season to this point and displayed an air of confidence in possession. They were inventive and showed good movement in the final third.

The team continued to probe and after some neat link up play, a clever dummy from Owen Howe allowed Louis Jagger Cane a sight of goal and his stinging effort wasn’t far away from adding to Wellington’s opener, in the 11th minute.

Brixham came a little more into the game, though it was the Yellows’ who maintained the upper hand. A long range effort from the visitors in the 16th minute, failed to trouble Louis Smith in the Tiverton goal. Then two players who had been at the heart of Tiverton’s bright start, combined to extend the lead.

Jagger Cane took the ball on the run and showing excellent vision and weight of pass, lifted the ball over the top to the hungry Horne, whose slotted finish gave Marko Radovanovic, our recently departed, popular Australian keeper no chance of saving his 21st minute attempt.

An inviting cross eluded onrushing Tivvy players, just prior to the water break and a shot from just outside the box from the Fisherman was watched over his bar by Smith.

The first meaningful piece of action after the teams had refuelled themselves, saw a solid challenge on Fin Herbert from Matt Wood result in both players becoming entangled on the floor and the impact of Wood falling on Herbert left the Brixham player remaining there. 

Medical attention quickly followed and home physio Ellie Jones and away physio Rhys Hook assessed the player, with concerns over a potentially serious neck/head injury. Marko Radovanovic, who is medically trained, also remained with Herbert.

After the Ambulance didn’t arrive within an hour of the injury, the game was abandoned. However it was over 4 and a half hours from the call made to the Ambulance service, to it getting to the ground. Special thanks for going above and beyond the call of duty to Ellie, Rhys and Marko for what they did in tending to the injured player.

We are pleased to discover that Fin Herbert was released from hospital with very heavy bruising. 

Tiverton: Smith(GK), Flowers, Wood(c), Slough, Koerner, Kennell, A. Wellington, J. Wellington, Jagger Cane, Horne, Howe.

PREVIEW