Yellows Run of Five at Home Ends With a Shot at Redemption Against Evesham

Match Preview 

Tiverton Town v Evesham United

Tuesday March 31st

7.45pm Kick Off

At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

Aiden Horne scored the opening goal against Hungerford last time out, embracing U18 Karim Coulibaly, who assisted Horne. (Viv Curtis)

The Yellows’ intense home schedule of fixtures concludes on Tuesday night when they entertain Evesham. A very good win against Hungerford on Saturday lifted the spirits a little and like Hungerford, our visitors’ are not yet out of the woods, relegation-wise.

Tiverton have been measuring themselves against teams in the Southern League Premier South throughout this season and have often come up short. There have been at least Five or Six times during this campaign, when our realistic hopes of winning some games have been over at half time.

The reverse fixture was one of those occasions. In a brutal opening period in Worcestershire the Yellows’ conceded a goal with less than a minute played and Three unanswered goals before we reached the break. Dean Moxey then also went off injured, to cap a miserable afternoon, which ended 5-0 to the Robins’.

The probability of Evesham joining us as candidates for the drop at that point looked slim. For a long time they were mid-table and for a while a little higher. Points are now at a premium for Bristol born manager Mike Ford and his side. They themselves were soundly beaten 6-1 at Havant & Waterlooville, on Saturday.

The Robins’ have struggled away from home and although they have accumulated a sizeable number of draws, their last victory came at Bracknell at the backend of September. Although with their league status hanging in the balance, I'm sure they will be looking to address this on Tuesday evening.

If the Yellows’ need a template for the required standard in this division then they would be better served using the Hungerford or Walton & Hersham models , in contrast to the Basingstoke and Gloucester ones. 

Mike Ford is a vastly experienced football man, equally as a player and as a manager. He had a notable playing career, making just shy of 500 EFL appearances. Primarily a defender, but utilised in numerous positions, Ford captained and made 290 appearances for Oxford United and played 196 times for Cardiff City.

His managerial career saw him have Two caretaker-manager stints at Oxford United and he was also an assistant manager with the U's. He then took over the reins at Oxford City for Five seasons, prior to a lengthy spell with former league rivals of our’s Banbury. 60 year old Ford has been in charge at Evesham since 2022.

Levi Steele is Evesham's main source of goals, with Ten. His importance for the visitors in their last three campaigns shouldn't be underplayed. In 101 games for the Worcester side, he has netted 48 times. The talented striker previously played against us for North Leigh, but was absent at the weekend.

Strike partner Andre Wright has Eight goals to his name in this division this term, but the powerful marksman often unselfishly sets others up and can be a real handful. Wright has undoubted pedigree and made West Brom's premier league squads in both 2016/17 and 2017/18, following an impressive youth career with the Baggies.

He made Eleven EFL appearances on loan from West Brom for Coventry during that time and for Torquay and Kidderminster Harriers in the National League. The much travelled 29 yr old  has also played in the Scottish championship for Ayr United and in the League of Ireland Premier Division for Sligo and Bohemians. 

Wright had further spells with Kidderminster and Torquay. His other clubs include; Hereford, Nuneaton, Gloucester, Telford and Kettering. 

Other forward options are Kai Churchley and Ethan Dunbar. Churchley who was with Tiverton for some of last term on loan from Bristol City, was on his release from the Championship side snapped up by Merthyr. After a lack of game time there, he was loaned to Evesham and the cultured Churchley has featured heavily for them, this term.

Dunbar moved to the Robins’ in the close season from the emerging Bishops Cleave side, in the league below. Earlier in his Senior career he was with Slimbridge. He has impressed at this level and has found the net seven times.

The gifted Amer Awadh is a player who has worked with Manager Ford previously in his senior career, when a Banbury player. A very skilful runner with a low centre of gravity, he is difficult to stop in pockets of space. A fan favourite formerly of North Leigh, who he starred for against us.

22 yr old Josh Barlow has been an integral part of Evesham's line up in recent seasons. The cultured and creative Barlow is a midfield regular. An academy player at Shrewsbury, he progressed through to the first team and made Four appearances for them. He is highly thought of at the club.

Brandon Liggett is a 19 year old who attracted plenty of attention when released by Cheltenham. Signing for Evesham, whilst on loan from the pro club he had spells with; Salisbury, Gloucester, Swindon Supermarine and Cinderford. A technical performer, he has impressed.

Fellow midfielder Aaron Heap, came through the youth system at Oxford United and went on to make some senior appearances for them. The 25 yr old is experienced in this standard of football and a talented all round footballer, he has played over 100 games for Evesham. North Leigh and Banbury were other ports of call.

Owen Foye is a versatile Swindon Town loanee. The 19 yr old utility player appears to have a very promising future ahead of him. The adaptable Foye can be employed in defence or in midfield and had a previous Ioan period at Swindon Supermarine.

Picked up following Swindon Supermarine's relegation, the solidly built and commanding centre back Ioan Richards is an important part of the Robin's’ defensive unit. A good leader on the pitch, Richards is another to have been part of Cheltenham's academy. Stints with Taunton and Yate came earlier in his Senior career.

Liam Hutt was a young Pro with Swindon Town and had a loan period with Weymouth last term. The defender was let go by Swindon and Evesham were quick to gain his registration for this campaign.

Right Back Jyrel Bojang signed for the visitors after coming to their attention playing for local Hellenic league team Pershore Town. He is in his second season with the Worcestershire team and has fitted in nicely.

Seasoned goalkeeper Alex Harris who is a talented Gloveman, was a first choice last term and this. Harris whose formative years were spent in Newport County’s Academy is 33 and has represented a number of established non league clubs including; Hereford, Gloucester and Merthyr. Prior to Evesham he was at Cirencester.

Can Asa Hall's young team build on Saturday's success? Let's get down to the ground and support the lads on Tuesday.