Yellows Bow Out of FA Trophy Despite Good Performance
For a second weekend running Tiverton outplayed Southern League Premier South opponents for a significant part of this game, which made this exit from the FA Trophy hard to take. They found Gosport keeper James Holden a big barrier in the opening half and in the second period were ruthlessly made to pay for not taking advantage when in the ascendancy.
The Yellows' were without the influential Ed Palmer who was serving out his suspension and Mason Winter who was unavailable, plus the cup tied Josh Bissett. Owen Howe returned to lead from the front, after being rested on Tuesday against Ilfracombe and hat-trick-hero Aiden Horne was on the bench. Jack Kennell retained a starting place as Asa Hall’s men shuffled the pack.
Boro came into the tie on the back of a 1-1 draw at Basingstoke and welcomed new signing, forward Timmy Abraham, brother of Tammy who has played in the EFL, where his clubs were; Bristol Rovers, Plymouth, Newport and Walsall. He is also a favourite in the increasingly popular Baller League.
Tiverton were building nicely through the third's early on at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium and the match came to life with Five minutes gone.
Finn Roberts threw long into the box and Owen Howe's lunging effort from close range looked for all intents and purposes to have given the Yellows’ the lead, however keeper James Holden produced a reaction save from the top drawer. Backpedaling and twisting round, before springing and with a fully extended arm, palming over.
Much like the start Asa Hall's men made in the FA Cup the previous Saturday, the team were at it and on top. The resulting corner and another soon after emphasised our pressure and desire. Hall, climbing high from the second corner, saw his goal bound header thwarted by a vital clearing header, deep inside the visitor’s six yard box.
Tivvy weren’t allowing their higher opponents to settle and when Abraham did have a brief sight of goal in the 12th minute, the defensive attention of two yellows’ players, forced his effort to be routinely gathered by Louis Smith.
Jacob Wellington appeared to play in a more central, advanced role and committed his marker and defenders with some promising bursts. Jack Kennell was giving a combative display in which he was turning over possession often in a full back position and being the starting point of fresh Tiverton attacks. Corey Koerner continued his rich vein of form on the opposite side.
Around the quarter of an hour mark Billy Tucker cut in from Gosport’s left and tricked his way across three visiting players, in order to find a good shooting angle. But although he pulled the trigger, he wasn’t able to get the connection he wanted and Holden was able to watch the ball into his arms.
Then Howe’s flick on saw onrushing Yellows' beaten to the ball inside the area, by Boro defenders. However the away side were only able to half clear away and a chance was presented to Aaron Wellington from just inside the box and his low driven shot was heading into the corner, but more goalkeeping of the highest quality, had the keeper saving crucially with his feet.
Tiverton maintained their stranglehold on the game and Hall flashed wide from Howe’s lay off, before with almost thirty minutes complete, Jacob Wellington challenged Holden aerially and the ball then crossed the goal-line, but the Referee adjudged Wellington to have fouled the keeper in what was a very soft contact and still the deadlock remained unbroken.
At the other end, Gosport who had some very good technical players in forward positions were being marshalled well by our backline, led by Matt Wood and Louie Slough. The dangerous Michael Fernandes who was, despite his threat, being kept at bay.
A long range free kick taken by Tucker from a full 35 yards out, was audacious and powerfully struck, though just a little too high, with just over ten minutes of the half remaining. A sustained spell of pressure from Boro meant that the Yellows' had to be on their guard and with a series of defensive blocks and some good handling and footwork from Smith, they negotiated a testing few minutes. A few shots that went astray also helped matters.
The Yellows’ though ended the half on the front foot, although in spite of their attacking efforts and incisive, impressive display were once again without reward, but knew all too well that they hadn’t made hay while the sun had shone.
The second half took on a whole new complexion and a change made at half time by manager Jermaine McGlashan proved pivotal and was ultimately not something that Tiverton ever really came to terms with. The physical and tall Wayne Robinson entered proceedings and took his place up top.
Gosport upped the tempo after the break and were slightly in the ascendancy, when ex Dorchester, Salisbury and Sholing player Robinson, got on the end of a fast attacking break and a stretched Tiverton in the 50th minute, were walking back to the centre circle a goal down.
One goal soon became two, when Boro playing with a spring in their step and finding their passes were awarded a free kick out wide. The whipped in delivery, found ex Barnet man Mauro Vilhete and he headed forcefully home. A shell-shocked Yellows’ could perhaps be forgiven for feeling a little sorry for themselves, but once again hadn’t made their first half pressure, tell.
With the momentum change, an excellent save with his feet from Smith appeared to keep us in the tie and a second more routine stop quickly followed. In the 57th minute from the sidelines, Steve Orchard and David Steele made a double substitution, as Aiden Horne and Ryan Keates replaced Billy Tucker and Asa Hall.
Just beyond the hour mark with Tivvy beginning to find their passes again, Roberts took a couple of touches, before he unleashed a 25 yard piledriver that clipped the bar. That explosive effort though only provided momentary hope, because in the 64th minute the visitors extended their lead further. Robinson scored a second goal after concerted Boro pressure.
Several attempts to clear to safety failed, before the ball came to the powerful forward and from close in, he added Gosport’s third. Unless the Yellows' responded in rapid fashion, turning the game round looked beyond them at this stage.
A good little spell from Tiverton did though give us what the doctor ordered. A Boro player handled in the box and prevented a goal scoring opportunity. An interesting interpretation of the rules from the officials saw a penalty given, but the player remained on the pitch. A contentious decision at best.
Up stepped Finn Roberts who smashed home emphatically in the 68th minute, almost prompting a net replacement. 3-1 and less of a mountain to climb. The game became quite open at that point and two chances followed for Tiverton.
Roberts stole in round the back as the ball was crossed into the area, but miscued his volley and then with ten minutes to go, J.Wellington headed over from the second phase of a corner. However, there was to be no cavalry charge from the Yellows', as Gosport saw out the final part of the game and Asa Hall’s men were once again left rueing missed opportunities and a missed opportunity.
It was very much a game of two halves and two fine saves from Holden in the opening period cannot be ignored or Tiverton having a few regular players missing, but unless we become more clinical and battle hardened, winning games of football will continue to be difficult. There’s been some memorable moments in the two main cup competitions, which the fans have revelled in, but our participation in both is now over.
The Yellows' are back at home on Tuesday night in the league when Paulton Rovers are the visitors, as we look to bounce back straight away.
Tiverton: Smith(GK), Kennell, Wood(C), Slough, Koerner(86), A.Wellington, Hall(57), Tucker(57), Roberts, J.Wellingon(82), Howe
Subs: Keates(57), Horne(57), Pryce-Hall(82), Hodge(86)
Tiverton Town 1
Robinson 50,64 Vilhete 52
Gosport Borough 3
Roberts 68
