PRE SEASON: Taunton 2 Tiverton 0

Match Report

Saturday July 25th

At Wordsworth Drive

 

Taunton Town 2

Seymour 9 Koita 29

Tiverton Town 0

 

Darren Holmes

Whereas the loss against Bridgwater couldn’t have been foreseen, there was always the likelihood that this meeting with Gary Johnson’s Peacocks would be Tiverton’s most challenging fixture in the build-up to the new season. 

For long periods in the first half, the Yellows struggled with playing at a level that could compete with our higher opponents. However, there were lots of positives in the second half that saw us initially tighten up and dig in, then become significantly more confident and expressive going forward. 

A valuable workout that will hopefully raise levels of performance and get the side into some profitable habits. It should also be highlighted though, that both sides had players missing and Five Yellows’ ; Ed Palmer, Matt Wood, Aaron Wellington, Cole Harford and Aiden Horne were unavailable.

The matchday eleven was as follows: Louis Smith between the sticks, Brooklyn Wilkins was back in yellow in the right back berth, Finn Hodge and Louis Slough in central defence, with Corey Koerner at left back. 

A midfield comprising: Billy Tucker on the right, Asa Hall and Jack Kennell in the middle and Finn Roberts on the left side. Ahead of them was a forward two of Louis Jagger Cane and Owen Howe. 

Notable absentees for Taunton were Dylan Jones and Jack Rice, but six former Tiverton players started for the Somerset side, including recent signing Gabe Billington. Others that lined up against us were: Niall Thompson, Jamie Richards, Nick Grimes, Alfie Moulden and Dan Koita.

With Taunton assuming control of possession and with the Yellows’ unable to find any rhythm to their play, a quick interchange of passes stretched the side, three minutes into the game. 

The Peacocks advanced down our right, and a dangerous cross was whipped in, which lured Smith from his goal. The ball reached the far post, where it was headed back across, and a second header with the Yellows’ floundering and the keeper exposed, sailed over. 

The hosts’ press was hurrying Tivvy, who repeatedly squandered the opportunity to build through the side, with intended targets not being found. There was an authority and poise to our host’s play that saw them firmly in the ascendancy.

In the 8th minute Moulden was tripped just outside of Tiverton’s box, and his free kick was delivered to Ben Seymour. Smith, though, produced a decent save from the ex-Grecian’s goal-bound header.

It seemed inevitable, though, that the home side would soon be ahead, and a minute later they were. A stray pass from Tivvy inadvertently played Seymour in and left him in the clear. He rounded Smith and rolled the ball into the empty net.

The Peacocks continued to dominate, as a flustered Yellows’ occasional forays into Taunton territory, despite the willingness and good movement from Jagger Cane, were often snuffed out early. Koerner also burst out of defence a few times, but the ball kept coming back.

Jagger Cane did manage to register Tiverton’s first shot on target; however, it didn’t test Bristol City loanee Freddie Godden in the hosts’ goal. Normal service was resumed in the 24th minute, as Koita linked up with Seymour and the latter fired fractionally wide.

The ex-Tivvy striker, though, was then gifted a chance to double the home side's lead, which he duly took just before the half-hour mark. A miscalculated pass back to Smith was easily intercepted, and the Yellows were two goals down.

A penalty award for Taunton a few minutes further into the game, saw Moulden step up. Smith, however, went the right way and got down to save a fairly tame attempt. If that goal had gone in, the game as a contest I felt would have been pretty much over.

There was a slight improvement following the penalty miss, and we retained possession a little better, but apart from a speculative effort from Billy Tucker, Asa Hall’s side headed for the break perhaps fortunate, to only be two goals in arrears.

The second half was in marked contrast to what had gone before.  Taunton remained dangerous, though Tiverton tightened up and found a competitive edge and a belief that had been lacking in the first period.

Beginning to find their passing game, with Hall prompting play in the middle of the park, a powerful 20-yarder from Tucker wasn’t far away in the 52nd minute. There was some neat build-up play from both sides with the Yellows looking much more likely in the final third.

Jagger Cane was popping up in the channels, as we fought to find a way back into the game. A sweet strike from Hall in the 68th minute, who was around 25 yards out, forced an excellent springy save from Godden.

Substitutions were made during the concluding half, as J.Wellington replaced Tucker and  Lewis Flowers came on for Wilkins. A third substitution with 20 minutes left saw Owen Howe withdrawn for Ryan Keates.

The busy and technical Keates added some drive to Tiverton’s play and in a flowing fast break, Roberts let the ball run across him in the 75th minute and connected well with his shot, but it was always rising, and it cleared the crossbar.

In the 78th minute, the Yellows made their final change with Roberts making way for Caleb Pryce- Hall. The youngster made an immediate impact, as his quick feet saw him wriggle past Thompson on one occasion and Richards on another.

It was quite a cameo, as he tricked his way into the area two or three times and delivered a couple of inviting balls across the face of goal that saw a blocked shot and a hurried clearance. He also forced a throw-in over by the corner flag, with the Yellows’ knocking on the door.

The side showed both character and quality after the break, and despite losing 2-0, the second-half display should act as a template going into the new season. 

Pre-season ends with a home game on Tuesday evening against South West Peninsula side Ilminster Town, prior to a visit to Cullompton on Saturday.

Tiverton: Smith(gk), Wilkins(62), Hodge, Slough, Koerner, Hall, Kennell, Tucker(65), Roberts(78), Jagger Cane, Howe(69)

Subs: J.Wellington(65), Flowers(62), Kennell(69), Pryce-Hall(78)