Yellows Secure Parkway Victory

Plymouth Parkway 1

Hall 65

Tiverton Town 2

Swann 83 (pen) 90+3

Saturday 27th December

Bolitho Park

Attendance: 806.

With confidence not exactly riding high amongst the Yellows faithful and the witnessing of many a disappointing result and some discouraging performances, the expectation of a derby win, would I guess have been relatively low. The reality though for the Yellows was full of festive cheer, as our long-suffering fans were treated to a win, a little over two months after their last one. Confounding the weight of recent history and condemning their Devon rivals to a first defeat since the two sides became opponents in this division and levelling up the victory count. 

The matchday eleven, saw player-manager Asa Hall in a role he fulfilled on a number of occasions last term, moving back into Tiverton’s backline. Gabe Billington and Jack Kennell were in the middle of the park and Louis Jagger Cane returned to partner Dan Koita upfront from the outset. 

In the spirit of a derby game, there was a lot of pride at stake.  The initial play took part in the Yellows half, as both teams sized each other up. The ball eluding the stretching Jenson Ireland as it was driven across the face of goal in the opening minutes and then in the 6^th minute, ex Yellow Carlo Garside’s dangerous cross was headed over by Will Sullivan. 

A marauding Tor Swann run which ended with his cross being met by an acrobatic overhead kick from Dan Koita, although clearing the crossbar, seemed to give Tivvy an imprint on the game. 

A solid intervention from Brooklyn Wilkins halted Parkway progress and when the ball filtered through to Koita, he showed good vision in spotting the advancing Jagger Cane, but a timely piece of covering round from commanding centre back Taylor Scarff prevented him from being played in. 

Then Matt Wonnacott was called into action, as a good spell from our hosts saw Sullivan's mazy run end with the Torquay loanee showing good handling, but the Parkway man’s directed shot was straight at him. With just over 20 minutes played, a crucial, well-timed tackle from Wilkins thwarted Parkway inside the area. 

In the 28^th minute after some patient and progressive possession football from Asa Hall’s men, a decent chance fell to Koita, however he screwed his shot wide of keeper Isaac Finch’s goal. Just beyond the half hour mark a clear opportunity for Sullivan was once again too close to Wonnacott. His goal bound effort being easily foiled. 

Some backs to the wall defending from Hall then impressively came to the Yellows rescue, as he saved a certain goal in clearing to safety from inside the six-yard box. Wonnacott palming away, shortly after. 

A clever ball from Wilkins sent Koita down the line in the 39^th minute, who in turn found Jagger Cane. The snap header though from the not fully match-sharp frontman went astray.  

Kennell and Billington were both busy in the engine room, but as both sides headed for the dressing rooms in a tense first 45, the keeper’s had been largely untroubled. Keeping things tight though has been an occupational hazard for Tiverton and to go in goalless was heartening. 

Brooklyn Wilkins who was in the thick of the action in the opening period, picked up a knock in the first half and Jacob Wellington was the player that replaced him before the match resumed.  

A little way into the closing half, a stinging Tor Swann effort from a tight angle was clawed away by Finch, as Tiverton spurred on by new addition to the dugout David Steele, looked to impose themselves on the game. Although in the 48^th minute Harry Hutchinson threw out a determined trailing leg to deflect a shot from close in, wide down the other end. 

The elusive opener though followed a spell of wrestling for the ascendancy and it was the home side and former Yellow Callum Hall who provided that moment. A scuffed shot from a Parkway player was blocked and leapt up to the midfielder who supplied an accomplished, cushioned finish from close range, with 66 minutes played. 

The Yellows were though not in unchartered territory and a rallying cry from the committed Harry Hutchinson provoked a stirring response from the team as they immediately probed for an equaliser. However, a quick break from the hosts that ventured into the Yellows box required the assured Wonnacott to flex a strong hand out to deny them. 

With 77 minutes on the clock a piece of trickery along the byline from Wellington resulted in a corner. Koita then produced a similar bit of skill in teasing his way along the byline, showing excellent feet. Another corner was the outcome for a purposeful Tiverton. 

The same player then fizzed the ball into the box and only a desperate block denied Tor Swann’s effort that was goal bound. Tivvy though were rewarded for their unflinching pursuit of something from this game in the 83^rd minute, when Koita latched onto an inviting pass from Hall, cut inside and into the box, he was up ended and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Up stepped Tor Swann and he conclusively beat Finch down the middle. Swann celebrating with the away support who were yet to know that they would soon be basking in the glory of a rare victory. 

Galvanised by the goal, Asa Hall, Steve Orchard and David Steele’s side pressed for a winner. Jagger Cane, who had linked up play well on his return, dragged a really good opportunity wide after being set up by Koita and Wellington also fired beyond the other side of the post. 

Substitutions were made in the final stages as Steve Orchard and David Steele looked for a fresh impetus. Ryan Keates and under 18 Will Collins coming on for Jagger Cane and Koita, as the Yellows pressed for all three points. 

 A low, hard cross was played into Parkway’s area from over on the home sides left and when it made its way to Swann, he cooly faked to shoot, to make room and then turned home as we entered added time. The talented winger’s brace sparking scenes in the away end. 

The team professionally managed the five additional minutes and were deservedly victorious. There has been little to celebrate this season, so this was a very well received result. Next Saturday’s New Year fixture at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium against Taunton will take place with a little momentum and a slither of renewed hope. So, let’s get behind the lads! 

 Tiverton: Matt Wonnacott, Brooklyn Wilkins (46), Corey Koerner, Jack Kennell, Toby Down, Tor Swann, Asa Hall, Dan Koita (90+5), Louis Jagger Cane (90+4), Gabe Billington, Harry Hutchinson.

Substitutes: John Ross, Matt Wood, Jacob Wellington (46), Ryan Keates (90+5), Will Collins (90+4).