Stephen's Spectacular Scoarcher in Vain

Match Report

Tuesday March 31st

At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

Tiverton Town 1

Stephens 16

Evesham United 2

Dunbar 72 Wright 81

Att: 142

Darren Holmes

Tonight saw us realistically bid farewell to Southern League Premier South, as a vastly inferior goal difference compared to Yate, whose 39 points is all we can reach with wins in all seven of our remaining games, literally condemned us to the drop. 

Having to make up 41 goals on Yate in 7 games is the equation and Tuesday night was a sad evening for all at the club, as after Nine seasons in this division we will be relegated to division one.

Tiverton were not too far away from holding onto a lead that was taken in the sixteenth minute and they were dogged in trying to protect it. Putting this result into context they were also dealt two significant injury blows, with both Dean Moxey in the first half and Asa Hall early in the second half being replaced.

The team that finished Saturday's encouraging win against Hungerford started this game against Evesham who were perched just above the relegation places, before kick off. The enforced change that saw Liam Cartwright unable to continue at half time on Saturday, meant fellow midfielder Jack Kennell started.

In the first couple of minutes, it was all too easy for Evesham as little or no pressure was applied as the visitors’ surged forward and Ross got down well to save an unchallenged shot from the edge of the box. He was right in telling the Yellows’ to, ‘wake up’.

The Robins’ continued to be in the ascendancy and timely interceptions from Dean Moxey and decisive clearances from him and others, prevented us going a goal down early. Then a goal line block from Hall in the sixth minute, vitally kept the visitors well drilled shot out.

John Ross demonstrated good agility when flinging himself low down to his right corner, to keep the game goalless, just beyond the Ten minute mark and Tivvy were living a charmed life.

The Yellows’ found a little bit of respite and although not totally convincing, they started to knit some passes together. Although it was still against the run of play that they out of the blue went in front.

Karim Coulibaly found Toby Stephens with plenty of room to either continue his run or take aim. He chose the latter and  unleashed a shot that dipped into the net from about 30 yards out. An excellent technical strike and it was 1-0 to Tiverton, after 16 minutes.

Evesham were soon back on the front foot and a combination of John Ross's busy gloves and the notable defensive positioning, organisation and wise distribution from Moxey kept our lead intact.

Another very good reaction save as the away side laid siege to our goal, from Ross down to the foot of his post in the 24th minute and then a superb double save just prior to the half-hour mark, foiled Evesham as they ramped up the pressure.

Unfortunately though, our backs to the wall defending resulted in an early casualty for Asa Hall's men, when Moxey signalled to the bench. Following treatment from Tony Cornish, his evening was deemed over.

This prompted the introduction of ex Willand man Douglas Camillo and a change in formation, as Wood and full backs Koerner and Wilkins lined up in a tight Three. Hall dropping a little deeper, for extra security.

Captain Matt Wood away to Evesham earlier in the season. (Viv Curtis)

Good application as a collective and towering headers won by Wood and Hall kept the Robins’ at bay. Tivvy's approach play was promising, with Stephens, Coulibaly and Horne linking well, but we rarely breached Evesham's defensive line.

An offside flag wasn't forthcoming when in the 37th minute, a searching ball over the top saw an Evesham attacker in the clear, out on our right channel. His effort though was a weak one that Ross was equal to, but the danger wasn’t over and a last-ditch goal-saving tackle from Wood came to our rescue.

Before the interval assistant manager Steve Orchard was yellow carded on the bench, after disputing a foul given against Aiden Horne. There were no further scares in the final minutes of the half and the Yellows’ went back to the dressing room, holding onto their slender lead.

A less dramatic opening to the remaining period was still full of honest endeavour from the battling Yellows’, but in the 54th minute they had another setback. Asa Hall left the field injured and on came midfielder George Collins, a former Torquay academy player.

Shortly after that change, there were more heroic’s from Ross. He produced another diving stop, before the ball inadvertently arrived in front of him and he fell on top of it, to nullify the threat of Predatory Robins’ players.

With 60 minutes on the clock, Camillo and Horne combined to good effect, deep into Evesham territory. A questionable waving on of play when Camillo looked to have been clearly brought down, sparked fury from our fans and anger from our players too.

Wellington and Wood then doubled up on a visiting forward in the 63rd minute, with Wood ushering the ball away from danger. A 70th minute substitution saw the hardworking Horne depart and Charlie Wright enter.

The extra physicality of the away side after Hall and Moxey's departures was obvious, but the Yellows’ were sticking manfully to their task. Really good interplay from the freshly introduced Wright along with Camillo and Wellington faltered deep inside Evesham's half, but in the next phase of play the visitors drew level.

Andre Wright flicked the ball on to the onrushing Ethan Dunbar who finished at point blank range. Camillo then nearly regained our lead in the 76th minute. A flowing passing move ending his shot being palmed away was a heartening response.

Corey Koerner was alert and calm under pressure to cover round and clear. This was only momentary relief for Asa Hall's side though as in the 81st minute ex Coventry and West Brom striker Wright slid in at the back post, to turn in Liggett's driven ball across and give his side the lead.

With time running out Corey Koerner's inviting ball round the back of the Robins’ backline was collected by Wright and his cut-back was a good one, however although any kind of connection would probably have evened things up, the ball evaded everyone.

That happened in the 87th minute and despite Nine minutes including additional time remaining then, the final score was 2-1 to Evesham. On Good Friday we are away to Sholing and then our second Easter fixture is on home soil against Devon Rivals Plymouth Parkway.

Tiverton: Ross(gk), Wilkins(85), Wood(c), Moxey(30), Koerner, Hall(54), Kennell, Stephen's, Wellington, Coulibaly, Horne(70)

Subs: Camillo(30), Wright(70), Sloane(85), G.Collins(54)