Tivvy in with a sporting chance...
Match Preview
Saturday 7 November 2026
Tiverton Town v Sporting Club Inkberrow
Kick-off 3pm
At the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
The peaks and troughs of a football team have perhaps been more evident during the first three months of this campaign than in many a season in recent Tiverton history. We begin November with the visit of Sporting Club Inkberrow. It should prove to be a fascinating match-up, with the Yellows starting to enjoy a rich vein of form.
Twelfth-placed Tiverton will take on the tenth-placed Worcestershire side knowing that a win would see them move into the top half of the table and, in doing so, go above their opponents on Saturday.
Of course, that will perhaps put added pressure on the players, but they thrived in a pressure-cooker atmosphere at Weymouth, and to do this in front of their own fans would further restore faith in Tivvy as a team. In the past, the ground was a bit of a fortress, though in recent campaigns unconvincing home results have taken away the fear factor that used to exist for opposition sides.
The previous weekend, the Yellows demonstrated all the attributes required to be successful at this level in upsetting a very good, experienced and talented Weymouth outfit. They were constructive and creative in possession, playing with energy and belief. Out of possession, they pressed, were first to the ball many times and won many of their individual duels.
There is healthy competition all over the park at the moment. Owen Howe’s two goals have seen him hit a bit of a purple patch, but Louis Jagger Cane and Dan Koita are getting fitter by the game, and the former could come into contention for a starting place.
Mr Consistency, Mason Winter, has been a growing influence on this Tiverton side, and Jack Kennell’s combative midfield displays and strong distribution haven’t gone unnoticed since Tivvy embarked on their latest little run.
Exciting attacking runners Josh Bissett and Jacob Wellington have deservedly courted praise, and Corey Koerner’s talent has really begun to blossom. The defensive three of Matt Wood, Asa Hall and Louie Slough were physically commanding against a very strong Terras front line, and Louis Smith has very much established himself as the Yellows’ number one.
Sporting Club Inkberrow, though, have weapons of their own, and their meteoric rise through the leagues has made people sit up and take notice. Since the 2019/20 season, the club have won an astounding five promotions on their way to becoming members of the Southern League.
Via the Hellenic Premier League play-offs, they achieved promotion to this division, taking their place in Southern League Division One South for the 2025/26 campaign. Finishing a very respectable eleventh the first time around, they will have set their stall out to finish a little higher this term.
Umit Eminoglu is the team’s manager. As a player, he spent eleven years in Aston Villa’s academy, and the 32-year-old was once mentioned by then Villa manager Paul Lambert as one to watch alongside Jack Grealish, who came through the academy at the same time. He later played for the likes of Banbury and Redditch, as well as for a Turkish Süper Lig side, albeit only in a cup competition.
His coaching career has seen him involved with Walsall’s academy. Joining him in coaching the side are Neil Guy, also the club’s chairman, and longstanding coaches Tom Harris and Carl Stenton. All have been mainstays since the club’s formation just over ten years ago.
Two players have been prominent scorers for the Eagles, as they are known, this season. Aidan Clark and Connor Stanley have both hit eight goals in this division, indicating a strong forward pairing. Prolific goalscorer Stanley has Worcester City, Kettering and Banbury on his CV and was with Worcester City in the previous campaign.
Clark plied his trade with Evesham in the 2023/24 season. The 28-year-old has scored goals around his local area over the years, and his impressive goalscoring record for the Eagles currently stands at 22 league goals from just 35 games. Bewdley and Pershore have also sought his services. The striker was on target twice in Saturday’s victory against Bideford.
Midfielder Jake Waterfield is a young homegrown player who emerged from the club’s under-18 team. He has become a regular in the side, and the talented schemer has featured in all fourteen league games for Sporting Club Inkberrow this term.
Captain Gregor Guy has been pretty much ever-present since the beginning of the visitors’ inaugural season in the Southern League. Coming through the Solihull Moors youth system, the midfielder is a strong performer at this level and is chairman and coach Neil Guy’s son. He is often the driving force of the team and is 28 years old.
Jack Brighton is a full-back who signed for the Eagles in the close season after being with Racing Club Warwick. The high-energy defender is comfortable in possession and a good footballer. Many of this side have either come through the ranks at the club or played in lower leagues. Brighton has been a big hit with the fans since arriving.
Central defender Will Moore has proved to be a pivotal player for the away side over the last three campaigns and recently reached the landmark of 100 games for the club, following a period in the treatment room. The 23-year-old is another example of the healthy continuity in the side’s dressing room.
Between the sticks is Brendan Bunn. In his late twenties, the experienced and talented stopper was previously in the academy of strong non-league side Kidderminster Harriers. In the past two campaigns, he was with Halesowen Town and has also represented Bromsgrove Sporting, both Southern League teams. Bunn has been a constant since arriving at the club in pre-season.
This should be a hotly contested game, and once again any slacking off from the display against Weymouth will give our opponents all the encouragement they need at the weekend. Last time out, Sporting Club Inkberrow edged out Bideford 3–2. Can the Yellows continue their resurgence? Get yourself down to the ground to show your support for the lads.
