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Match Report Saturday August 22nd FA Cup Preliminary Round At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium Tiverton Town 2 Wood 62, Howe 90 Ivybridge Town 1 Lane 16 Darren Holmes (Words) Viv Curtis (Pictures) There was late drama at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium! With Tiverton’s opening tie in this season’s Emirates FA Cup against a plucky Ivybridge, seemingly heading for a replay, a conclusive 90th minute Owen Howe strike fired the Yellows’ through to the next round of the competition. It was an outcome that finally matched the glorious weather, but it wasn’t an afternoon, without nerve-jangling moments along the way. Tiverton welcomed back Matt Wood to a line up that saw three changes from the Westbury loss. Ryan Keates and Caleb Pryce-Hall starting and Louis Slough, Asa Hall and Finn Roberts making way. Player- manager Hall opted for a watching brief, alongside first team coach David Steele, with assistant Steve Orchard currently serving a suspension, in the stand. The Ivies’ arrived in mid Devon, having achieved two cup victories in successive weekends and the Western League side have been in good form domestically. The two teams looked to get the measure of each other as the action began and it was the Yellows’ who fashioned the first chance. Although their early sighter, went over the stand and out into the open road. Captain Ed Palmer assumed free-kick duties in the 5th minute, after a Tivvy player was chopped down. Though from not quite 25 yards out, his looping effort, although considerably more accurate than the shot minutes earlier, was comfortable for keeper Kane Gregory. Moment’s later, sharp reflexes were required by Louis Smith to deny the Ivies’, with Chris Harvey waiting to pounce from close in. However, in the seventh minute Jacob Wellington wriggled in the visitor’s box and was clearly tripped. The penalty award saw Owen Howe step up to take, but he was unable to put his spot kick away and Gregory dived to his left and saved. With pressure on the ball, J. Wellington’s rebound was forced wide. Then in the 10th minute a delicately lifted pass into the area from Keates just eluded Howe and Pryce-Hall. Our opponents though were having promising moments of their own and Asa Hall’s men were not looking altogether secure when Ivybridge crossed the halfway line. With the visitors on the frontfoot and following a neatly constructed move, the ball fell to Jake Lane in the box, who powered home. The Yellows’ response was immediate. Pryce-Hall played Howe through, but he was denied by a smothering save from the impressive Gregory. Although in general there was a lack of conviction to Tivvy’s play, despite them having greater possession and around the 20 minute mark, a fully extended Smith superbly thwarted striker Josh Johnson’s effort from inside the area. Then Pryce- Hall dribbled his way into the box from a short corner routine, but his ball across went agonisingly a little too in front of the onrushing J.Wellington and was gathered by the Ivies’ keeper. Despite having the better of things though and the odd speculative attempt to draw level, it wasn’t a vintage display from Tivvy in the first half and when the side’s returned to the dressing rooms it was the home-side who very much required a reset. A change was made at the break, as Ed Palmer didn’t return for the second half and was replaced by fellow centre back Louie Slough. Matt Wood took the captain’s armband and moved across into Palmer’s right centre back position. Tiverton started the second half with the bit between their teeth. An initial effort, deflected its way out to the incoming Corey Koerner and although his shot was dealt with by Gregory, it signalled the Yellows’ intent. Pryce-Hall then bent a cross into the danger area and Wellington was unable to generate enough power on his header, as Asa Hall’s men upped the pressure and the tempo of their work. A second substitution saw Finn Roberts replace Jack Kennell with an hour played. In the 62nd minute, an ascendant Tivvy were awarded a corner. Robert’s pinpoint delivery was met by a thumping Matt Wood header that flew past the keeper and parity was restored. Plenty of nearly moments followed the equaliser, with Owen Howe on two or three occasions not quite able to steer home crosses and balls into the area. Backs to the wall defending from a dogged and determined Ivybridge rearguard, also stemming the tide of intense play from Tiverton. Aiden Horne entered proceedings with Twenty minutes remaining, replacing the promising Pryce-Hall and his lively running of the channels gave the visitors a different proposition to contend with. In the 77th minute following a corner, a spot of pinball ensued, as Tivvy tried to force the ball over the line. Horne came the closest, as his shot was frantically blocked and cleared. They continued to press and probe, but it looked like a resolute Ivie’s were going to withstand the onslaught. The away side’s best attacking outlet appeared to be substitute, wideman Kaycee Ogwu who broke a few times to good effect, with driving runs, but it was the Yellows’ who were largely dominant. We reached added time though with the likelihood of a midweek replay. When one of a number of inviting balls from the flank came into the area, this time Owen Howe’s composed, emphatic finish on the half turn, found the bottom corner, much to the unbridled joy of the Tiverton fans. With five minutes of added time still to complete, the Ivies’ threw caution to the wind and went long and direct. However, although there were a few nerve-racking moments with Tivvy carelessly conceding a corner which brought another one, The team held firm and Howe’s goal saw us into the next round. The sheer effort of Ivybridge was definitely deserving of a replay and it shouldn’t be forgotten how much they contributed to this cup tie. They played some good football, especially in the opening period. A mixture of relief and joy met the final whistle and the Yellows' will be hoping to continue in a similar vein, but improve performance wise, when they’re back in cup action on Saturday, for another Devon Derby. An FA Trophy visit to Bideford is next on the agenda. Tiverton: Smith(GK), Winter, Palmer(C)(45), Wood, Koerner, A. Wellington, Kennell(60), Keates, J. Wellington, Pryce-Hall(71), Howe Subs: Slough(45), Horne(71), Roberts(60), Hodge, Flowers

Match Preview FA Cup Preliminary Round Saturday August 22nd Tiverton Town v Ivybridge Town 3pm KIck Off At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium Darren Holmes (Words) Viv Curtis (Pictures) The FA Cup always captures the imagination, and the visit of Western League Premier team Ivybridge Town begins that dream process of a lengthy cup run and future giant killings for supporters. It always marks a fantastic opportunity, even if in recent times the reality hasn’t matched the anticipation. Having been playing in Step 3 for nine seasons, the Yellows’ have entered the competition for the majority of that time at the First Round Qualifying stage. A 1-0 away victory against Frome in 2022 with Kane Simpson our scorer, being our last success and a 2-0 win versus Bideford in 2020, when Jared Lewington and Chris Shephard were both on target, being our last home triumph. Aiden Horne found the net in last season’s narrow 3-4 exit to rivals Taunton, and player- manager Asa Hall, who played that day and his backroom team, will be concentrating their efforts on trying to proceed through to the next round. It’s important to remember that Ivybridge are in the league directly below Tivvy. The Ivies arrive at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium with a bit of a spring in their step. Overcoming Teignmouth 2-1 in the FA Vase on Saturday, they defeated Torpoint in the previous round of the FA Cup 4-0. These two cup results, supplemented by a decent start to their league campaign. The side whose base is on the Southern edge of Dartmoor, sit mid-table after four games and have accumulated seven points in the Western League Premier division. Co-managers Brad Gargett and Ben Washam have been in place since May 2025 and finished lower mid table, last term, in their first season in charge. Striker Josh Johnson has started the season in good form. With four goals coming from five games, three of those were scored in the cup victories. The former Saltash and Dobwall’s front man who has a reputation for putting a shift in, is strong aerially and is a composed finisher. Wideman Colin(CJ) Pritchard is into a sixth campaign with the Ivies’ and is a constant in Gargett and Washam’s eleven. A versatile player down the flank, he is a good technical player, who comes up with the odd spectacular strike. He has been amongst the goals this term. Two footed winger or midfielder Connor McAuley is an ex Plymouth Argyle academy product. A pacy and skilful performer who on his release from Argyle, joined Plymouth Parkway. He was with Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police. This is his second spell with the club and the goalscoring midfielder can also operate centrally. Full back Hayden Baugh has developed into a talismanic figure for the Ivies’. The fan favourite's all action displays, often inspiring his team-mates and making him the recipient of man-of-the- match awards. Ex Saltash schemer Josh Pope has become a valuable player and integral to Ivybridge’s midfield. His highly committed, energetic displays often make a difference. Homegrown Jack Rider has emerged through Ivybridge’s age group sides and the midfielder has impressed since being introduced into the senior ranks. The teenager has already made a number of telling contributions for the first team. Similarly Owen Howard is another to have been part of Ivybridge’s thriving youth system and the young forward has provided assists and goals this term. Between the sticks for the Ivies’ is Kane Gregory. The talented shot-stopper has arrived from Newton Abbot Spurs, where he was their established number one and is now in a second spell with the South Hams club. Despite a slight setback at Westbury, The Yellows’ have made a solid start to the 2026/27 season and there have been some encouraging displays. However, there will be a strong desire in the dressing room to return to winning ways. Apart from Louis Jagger Cane’s injury lay off, there should be a full complement of players to choose from, for the coaching team and some may have played their way into contention, following appearances from the bench on Saturday. Progression in the FA Cup would definitely bring the feel-good factor to the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium.

Match Report Saturday August 15th At Platinum Hyundai Park Westbury United 1 Thomas 49 Tiverton Town 0 Darren Holmes For this weekend’s fixture the Yellows' travelled to Wiltshire looking for another favourable outcome, on the back of a draw at Hungerford and a win against Barnstaple. Unfortunately our opponents, Westbury, ‘threw a spanner in the works’. The matchday squad arrived for this game, without long term absentee Louis Jagger Cane whose collar bone injury will keep him out for quite a while yet. Asa Hall, his assistant Steve Orchard and first team coach David Steele engineered a reshuffle with Jack Kennell coming into the midfield and Jacob Wellington taking up a forward position alongside Owen Howe. Matt Wood was back amongst the substitutes and for Westbury, their line up contained former young Tivvy keeper Joel Manning and Leighton Thomas up front. On another day where temperatures soared, with the pitch looking an impressive green and neatly cut, neither side flew out of the traps in the particularly sweltering conditions and there was a very conservative approach to the match from both sides. Although it was Westbury who were often first to the ball and closing down any space afforded to Tivvy. It was a disjointed start from Asa Hall’s men. The White Horse Men seemed to have done their homework and the better chances and more productive play was coming from compact and well drilled hosts. A series of offside calls against Westbury in the final third, although rightly awarded, highlighted a less than fluent Yellows’ The overlapping Koerner was a good outlet, as Tiverton struggled to impose themselves on the game. In the 19th minute, Finn Robert’s searching free kick from out wide, deep down the host's right, was flighted in the direction of Owen Howe about twelve yards out. He glanced a header on and it landed just the other side of Manning’s post. Asa Hall who definitely has a long range strike in his locker, tried his luck from fully 25 yards, but he remonstrated with himself as the ball sailed over the bar. It was the home side, who without dominating were always the more likely. Despite our defensive unit not being at its solid best, they dealt with the bulk of what was thrown at them, but with Thomas’s movement keeping Tivvy honest, there were always questions being asked. At the break it was goalless, the team were putting in a shift and working hard, but the pattern of the play and our lack of conviction in possession, must have been a cause for concern during the half time team talk. However, Four minutes after the interval, Westbury deservedly got the opener. A set-piece was arrowed into Thomas from midfielder Keane Ashwood and the ex Tiverton striker, using the pace of the ball from the delivery, headed beyond Louis Smith. Such was the momentum of the game and perhaps players were carrying knocks or were a little jaded from Tuesday night’s encounter with Barnstaple, but wholesale changes were made in the 56th minute. Off of the bench came; Ryan Keates, Aiden Horne and Billy Tucker. Making way were; Asa Hall, Finn Roberts and Owen Howe. The freshening up had its desired effect with all three substitutes immediately being involved, in striving to get us back in the game. Because of the positivity of the new personnel, for a short, sustained period we started to get on top, adding Caleb Pryce-Hall and Matt Wood after 63 minutes, to the list of Participants. They replaced Ed Palmer and Aaron Wellington tactically or otherwise. It was almost fifteen minutes of the Yellows’ being in the ascendancy, with the growing ‘band of brothers’ initially presenting attacking problems and unsettling their hosts, forcing corners and pressing forward. Manning had to contend with a Tucker inswinger and the same player’s effort from distance that saw him palm over. A bizarre decision when Pryce- Hall had forced a corner, with a piece of good wing-play, that saw the Westbury defender get a big foot on the ball, apparently constituted a goal-kick, and kind of summed up Asa Hall’s men's afternoon. Not that they were particularly unlucky, but just that it wasn’t a great day at the office. A few decent chances fell to Thomas, following his goal, but pressure from Louis Slough made it difficult for him. Our hosts were a man down with a few minutes left, when a second pre- meditated trip from busy midfielder Jack Witcombe, with Tiverton about to advance into the Westbury box saw a second yellow. The free kick from 20 yards out and in a central position, though failed to threaten and the home side managed to see the game out. Fortunes will change many times over in the duration of the season, but the dressing room and coaching staff will know we have the ability to play better than this. However, today we cannot begrudge the White Horse Men their totally deserved victory. The FA Cup beckons for Tivvy next. South Devon team Ivybridge of the Western League will be the opposition, on Saturday, at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium. Our visitors, fresh from their FA Vase victory versus Teignmouth, will be our opening round opponents in the competition. Tiverton: Smith(GK), Winter, Palmer(63)(C), Slough, Koerner, Kennell, Hall(56), A.Wellington(63), Roberts(56), J.Wellington, Howe(56) Subs: Keates(56),Horne(56), Tucker(56),Pryce-Hall(63),Wood(63)

Match Preview Saturday August 15th Westbury United v Tiverton Town 3PM Kick Off At Platinum Hyundai Park While Tiverton were securing a 1-0 derby win against Barnstaple at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium on Tuesday evening, Westbury began their campaign away at league newcomers Portland. It was a profitable encounter in Dorset for the Wiltshire side, as they got off the mark with a 2-1 victory. Ed Palmer once again shone at home to Barnstaple can he captained his side to a result against shrewd Division One South opperators Westbury? Asa Hall’s men will definitely not be taking anything for granted versus a team that finished in 10th place, last season. Despite two positive displays in their opening games, the yellows will need to maintain the standards they have set, if they are to continue in a similar vein.The good thing for the side is that, there is a belief that there is room for this team to grow and that they can still play better. The unfortunate injury to Jagger Cane(collar bone) will keep the forward sidelined for quite a while and everyone will be hoping for a smooth recovery. However, there doesn't appear to be any other serious injury concerns for Tiverton. Encouragingly, fellow attacker Aidan Horne although not deemed fit enough to start in the Barnstaple game, did play some part in the second half and physio Ellie Jones will be hoping to have him available and in contention for the matchday eleven on Saturday. This will be Westbury 's Fifth campaign in this division. They are managed by former player Ricky Hulbert and Lewis Potter. Hulbert's younger brother Steve is a key component of the affectionately known White Horse Mens’ back-line. Along with Ryan Bole and Adam Cockerill, the back- four has had continuity in recent seasons. All three have been at the Wiltshire club since they were promoted into the Southern League Division 1 South. In that settled defensive unit, ex Bath City youngster Bole has made nearly 170 appearances, Cockerill 150+ and Steve Hulbert is not far off of the 150 appearance mark himself. There are a few familiar faces in the White Horse Men' s squad. Goalkeeper Joel Manning did a pre-season with us in the 2024/25 season and the 6ft 6 inch stopper has since gone on to perform well at Melksham, before making the Westbury number one jersey his own. New signing, Striker Leighton Thomas had two spells with the Yellows'. One was on loan from Hungerford and the other under Leigh Robinson and Ben Gerring. Although neither were particularly long, multi talented front man Thomas who was with Shaftesbury last term and has also played for Dorchester, Yate and Bemerton Heath Harlequins, once scored 31 goals for Paulton Rovers in this division. Player- Manager Asa Hall will be reunited with former Bath City Midfielder Jake Andrews, who he played alongside at Torquay. Technical midfielder Andrews made 119 appearances for the national league Gulls. Andrew's spent three years on pro-terms with Bristol City as a young pro. During that time, he enjoyed multiple loan spells. This included one with Cheltenham, where made 7 EFL appearances and others at Chippenham and an initial loan spell with Torquay. The creative 28 year old midfielder has also worn the colours of; Havant & Waterlooville, Poole, Swindon Supermarine and Melksham. He joined the club in pre-season. Left sided midfielder Josh Bertie is another exciting arrival. A British Virgin Islands International, who has Dorchester, Winchester and Bashley on his CV. Tenacious, central midfielder Eben Mortimore Taylor is proven at this level with Larkhall. Bevan Cross’s footballing abilities saw him play for Step 3 Yate, 8 times in the previous season. The ex Manor Farm man then re-signed for Westbury, where the midfield man had already established himself as a very popular player. There is another pair of brothers in the host’s dressing room. Defender Aaron Witchell, having played two seasons at Melksham, before arriving at Platinum Hyundai Park in the 2024/25 season, is experienced and dependable in this standard of football and his brother Ethan is a talented young midfield prospect who made two first team appearances for Chippenham, in the recent past. The important thing for Tiverton to remember, is that the team they will face at the weekend, know this league very well and what it takes to get results. This will be a testing visit and Asa Halls’ men will have to keep pushing their level’s forward, if they are to keep their momentum going.

Match Report Tuesday August 11th At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium Tiverton Town 1 Slough 3 Barnstaple Town 0 Att: 417 Darren Holmes (Words) Viv Curtis (Pictures) There was a healthy contingent of both sets of supporters in attendance for this first Devon derby of the season. A closely fought affair was anticipated and that is how it played out, with the Yellows’ just edging out their North Devon rivals and extending their good early start to the season. Owen Howe replaced Aiden Horne who is carrying a knock, but was amongst the replacements in an otherwise unchanged line up, from the one that drew with Hungerford at the weekend. Barnstaple included former Tivvy favourite River Allen, ex yellow Tyler Elliot, Gabby Rogers, former keeper Olly Saunders and Joe Hatch recently released from Plymouth in their starting eleven There was a half chance for Barnstaple shortly after the kick off, which forced Louis Smith into a comfortable save, but in the third minute Tiverton won a free kick out wide, deep into Barum territory. From the delivery in Ed Palmer flicked onto fellow centre back Louie Slough who headed powerfully past former Tivvy keeper Olly Saunders. Louie Slough touching down after his jumping fist bump followng our early winner! An early lead for Asa Hall's men, but then Barnstaple were determined to cancel out our advantage immediately. For the next few minutes they laid siege to our goal, but an excellent rearguard held firm and the Yellows' emerged unscathed. In the 9th minute, Louis Jagger Cane’s progress was halted by Brodie Montague and his deliberate breaking up of play through illegal means, resulted in a significant first yellow card being issued to the Barum centre back. Playing on the shoulder and bursting into the visitors’ final third with regularity, Jagger Cane was proving a real menace to the North Devon side’s backline. Another Barnstaple player then received a yellow, less than five minutes further on, with Jacob Wellington this time being the fouled player. Barum were a constant threat, although the Tiverton back four, once again with Ed Palmer at the forefront of their containment, often restricted their visitors to efforts from distance and when they did have sight of an opening, the Yellows' frequently closed the door. Just prior to the 20 minute mark an expertly timed tackle in the Tiverton box from Mason Winter, kept the hosts in front. There was a bit of show-boating from Corey Koerner who was having one of his best games in a yellow shirt, in defensively keeping the supremely talented Gabby Rogers in check. Mason Winter establishing himself as a crucial part of the Yellows defence Asa Hall’s team’s ploy of playing over the top and threading passes though to Jagger Cane often hurried the visitors into last-ditch tackles and desperate measures were deployed in nullifying his obvious threat. Midway through the first period, Tivvy were enjoying good possession, with the combative Aaron Wellington heavily involved in pushing his side forward. The irrepressible Palmer and dominant Slough are looking better with each game and are being hugely supported by full backs Winter and Koerner. The booking’s count was growing for Ben Potter’s team as their frustrations were boiling over. This time after they had been in the ascendancy for a few minutes, when Tiverton countered there was an air of cynicism to the challenge that earned a third booking. Asa Hall kept the Referee busy, after remonstrating with him when Owen Howe was adjudged to have committed a foul and went into the book for dissent in the 41st minute. Barnstaple continued to press, but Howe also had a shot blocked from inside the box, before the half ended. The Yellows’ held a slender 1-0 lead at the interval, but it was Barum who were quickly into their stride when the match got back underway. A testing first Ten minutes of the second period from the visitors, saw Tiverton pushed back into their own half, but they remained resolute and defensively tight. During that time though, Tivvy did muster a half chance and Finn Roberts following a fast break was handed a sight of goal after good link up play with the overlapping Koerner. His quick feet had seen him advance down the away side’s right. Robert’s took the ball down neatly with his chest and his attempt was struck cleanly, but it rose above the bar. However, it was the visitors who were asking most of the questions at that stage. Howe, who won his fair share of headers on the evening, then knocked on to Jagger Cane, 55 minutes into the game. His strike partner had been an elusive runner for much of the evening and he drove a ball across the face of goal, which was just in front of onrushing Yellows’. Barnstaple then opened up Tiverton’s backline, but Smith produced a vital reaction save low down, to preserve Asa Hall’s men’s advantage. Then with an hour played and with Ben Potter’s side having a lot of possession in the Yellows’ half, Tivvy conjured up an excellent flowing piece of football through the third’s, with intricate movement making holes in Barnstaple’s rearguard. The move ended with Jacob Wellington getting on the end of a good ball in and he marginally missing the target with a header. However, the visitors were quickly back on the front foot. In the 64th minute Jagger Cane worryingly stayed down after a coming-together and a stretcher was required. He was applauded off the field and we will find out the nature of his injury in due course. We wish him well in his recovery. Jack Kennell was his replacement, as Steve Orchard and David Steele from the sidelines, opted at that stage for an extra man in midfield. This freed up Jacob Wellington in an attacking sense, who started to make headway over on the North Devon side’s left. In the 73rd minute Barnstaple were reduced to Ten men, when the aforementioned Wellington exchanged passes with Winter and Hall, before he was just about to break Barum’s high line and was deliberately held back by Montague, whose earlier yellow meant he was sent off. Owen Howe feeling Barum's physicallituy throughout the fixture. In the 80th minute Howe and Hall made way for Horne and Keates and without going totally for the jugular, a refreshed Yellows’ started to manage the game efficiently. J. Wellington was once again stopped in his tracks, this time legitimately, when a teasing ball in from Roberts was neatly controlled by him, before a solid defensive tackle stopped the trigger being pulled. The busy Horne and Keates were having an impact, as we increased the tempo of our play. Aaron Wellington had been tireless with and without the ball throughout. Although a lot of the accolades should be given to the defence and a magnificently executed challenge from Slough, with a forward bearing down on goal, was in keeping with a fine display from the back four led by the excellent Palmer. The ever alert Louis Smith behind them, distributed well throughout the evening. In the 85th minute Billy Tucker joined proceedings, replacing Roberts. It was a short cameo from the attacking midfielder, but using all of his experience and guile, he forced a corner and a number of throw-ins , over by the corner flag, out on Barum’s right. In this period, Saunders had a couple of shots to save, but both lacked power and were routinely held. Seeing the game out, was definitely an Achilles heel last season, but they did this without any major scares and an additional Five minutes at the end of normal time was handled convincingly. It’s been an encouraging and reassuring beginning to the season for the Yellows’ and they will be hoping to use this as a springboard on Saturday, when they travel to Wiltshire where their opponents will be Westbury United. Tiverton: Smith(GK),Winter, Palmer(C),Slough,Koerner,J. Wellington,Hall(80),A.Wellington, Roberts(85),Howe(80),Jagger Cane(67) Subs: Keates(80),Tucker(85), Horne(80) Kennell(67),Pryce-Hall

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Match Report Saturday August 8th At Bulpit Lane Hungerford Town 1 Bell 38 Tiverton Town 1 Jagger Cane 23 Darren Holmes (Words) Viv Curtis (Photos) The Yellows' got their season underway with a very good point away at Hungerford. Both sides could have laid claim to victory, but the outcome was probably about right and this was a positive start to the campaign for Asa Hall’s men. Cpatain Ed Palmer putting in a Man of the Match winning display. Backed by an away support of 50+,Tiverton lined up with; Louis Smith in goal, new signings Mason Winter at right back, captain Ed Palmer and Louie Slough as the centre back pairing, with Corey Koerner as left back. Jacob Wellington was on the right side of midfield, with Finn Roberts on the opposite flank, Asa Hall and Aaron Wellington in the middle. Aiden Horne and Louis Jagger Cane taking the forward positions. A busy Yellows’ dictated the early stages and although half-hearted appeals for a penalty for Tivvy were correctly waved away in the Second minute, this set the tone for a convincing opening from the team, who were playing at a lively tempo and purposefully. A lifted pass from Hall turned Hungerford around and sent Jagger Cane away down the Crusaders left. He got slightly ahead of his marker and crossed for strike partner Horne. It was a good ball in, but it climbed a little too high and the ball brushed off of Horne’s head in the box and away from danger. In the 10th minute, Mason Winter’s weighted pass out of defence once again connected with the intelligent movement of Jagger Cane, who collected the ball before his marker and stretched the hosts’ backline. A desperate block diverted his cross away for a corner. An inviting delivery in, saw Ed Palmer get round the back and he met the ball with a volley that wasn’t too far away. Tiverton continued to press and probe. Horne crossed for Roberts, who couldn’t quite direct his header goal-bound. Keeper Ryan Clarke just cleared away from Jagger Cane in the nick of time, and Palmer couldn’t quite get a shot off and was closed down in the box at close quarters. It had been a rousing passage of play. Hungerford then steadied the ship and began to find their way into the game. Following some neat possession football, in the 17th minute centre back Kyle Bailey took the ball into his stride and unleashed a venomous 25-yarder that skimmed off the bar and behind for a Tiverton goal-kick. Then around the 20 minute mark, the home side forced a few corners. Though with their attacking threat appearing to have been nullified, the ball fortuitously hit the corner flag and presented the Crusaders with an excellent crossing opportunity. The ball was delivered in, but assured handling from Smith took the ball out of harm’s way. In the 23rd minute, however, the Yellows hit the front. Play was broken up in the middle of the park, and Hall’s instinctive vision saw him arrow a pass into Robert’s path out wide; his excellent, precise ball in from the by-line found the onrushing Jagger Cane, who sidefooted beyond Clarke to give Tivvy a deserved lead. The obligatory hydration break arrived with the visitors still on top, as Hungerford were struggling to contain their flowing attacks down the Bulpit Lane slope. Play resumed, and although the Infantino special had stemmed momentum a little, we continued to ask more questions in the final third. Palmer, outstanding at the back, was winning everything aerially and stepping in early to break up potential attacks when in their infancy. With just over half an hour played, only the mixture of an alert piece of covering from the hosts’ captain Matt Berry- Hargreaves and a ball slightly behind Jagger Cane from Horne, whose first touch out of the air was extremely good, prevented Tiverton doubling their lead. A rattled Berry-Hargreaves demanded more of his side. Newest yellow, Mason Winter, winning plaudits from gaffa, Asa Hall on his debut at full back. However, Tiverton kept coming, and the Crusaders were forced into conceding a free kick following a quick piece of interplay from the Yellows about five yards from their corner flag. Roberts’s wicked delivery in was Beckham-esque, and the lively Jagger Cane cushioned a volley and was close to giving Tivvy a second goal. In the 38th minute, though, Hungerford caught Tiverton out, who had perhaps overcommitted, and the home side sprang forward. Fraser Bell emphatically shot across Smith into the bottom corner to even things up. 1-1 With both sides desperate to take an advantage into the break, Kyle Bailey’s last-ditch tackle on Horne in the Hungerford error and a superb save with his feet by Smith from striker Nmams Nwachuku kept things on an even keel and the two sides headed for the dressing rooms. Knowing they had to contend with the renowned Bulpit Lane slope, Asa Hall’s men knew that it would be more difficult in the second half and so it proved. A couple of minutes after the resumption, Smith under pressure in his area from a number of Hungerford players, vitally pushed away a speculative ball across the face of goal, to safety. He then had to parry over a long range effort struck by Brad Smith, as Hungerford threatened. Louis Smith with a strong first Southern League outing for our young shot stopper Tiverton were being forced back, but remained resolute. An enforced change on 55 minutes with Aiden Horne limping slightly out of the action, saw the introduction of midfielder Ryan Keates. I’m told Horne’s injury is a minor one. Danny Robinson's men were in the ascendancy and unlike the first half very little had been seen of the Yellows’ as an attacking entity. The backline though of Winter, Palmer, Slough and Koerner were holding firm, with Palmer expertly marshalling. A second substitution in the 69th minute saw Asa Hall make way for Jack Kennell. A little way further into the game Slough who was having a solid game in the heart of the Tivvy defence made an excellent, perfectly-timed tackle, though not according to the Referee. The free kick award, sparked a bit of horseplay from the two sides and with things getting a little heated between the two sets of players, but definitely not to boiling point, he summoned both captains and both managers over. Anyway play resumed with both sides ringing the changes. In the 78th minute with Hungerford applying more pressure, Brad Smith found the side netting. Billy Tucker and Owen Howe were both on, with the two departing players Roberts and Jagger Cane, having had a telling influence on the game. It was Tivvy who then started to dominate in a concerted spell of pressure. Billy Tucker launched a few long throws into the Hungerford box and a Howe flick on at the front post for the first saw the ball scrambled away. A second Steve Backley-like delivery to just beyond the back post from Tucker, almost saw Palmer pull the trigger, but he was crowded out and then the ball fell to Keates, who was falling back and off balance, so his attempt flew over. It was a nerve jangling finale. A good piece of wing play saw Tucker tease a ball in, that just evaded Aaron Wellington who’d had a strong game in the engine room and the energetic Keates. Then with a minute to go of the added 8, A fizzing, driven cross from Hungerford was asking to be put away, but fortunately for the Yellows', with host’s players sliding in to try and get that important touch, it missed everyone and Asa Hall’s men prevailed. Tiverton had been really good in the first half, but had to dig in for long periods in the second half. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but this was a very encouraging start and team spirit was evident throughout. The side though will only have a little time to pause for breath, as they are back in action on Tuesday night. Barnstaple will be the visitors for the first of 8 Devon derbies this season. Barum will open their league campaign against us, because they were playing in the FA Cup versus Buckland on Saturday, winning that game 6-0. So get yourself down to the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium for this eagerly anticipated, first competitive home game of the season. Tiverton: Smith(GK), Winter, Palmer(C), Slough, Koerner, J Wellington, Hall(69), A Wellington, Roberts(76), Horne(55), Jagger Cane(80) Subs: Keates(55), Kennell(69), Tucker(76), Howe(80), Pryce-Hall

Darren Holmes https://x.com/MasonWinter7 Mason Winter, an accomplished full back in this division and a former captain at Bristol Manor Farm has joined the Yellows' after his recent departure from Portishead. The 30 year old first played at this level for Clevedon as a 17 year old in the 2013/14 season and as a teenager also played in the following campaign for the Bristol side. Winter then continued his football journey with Larkhall and Cribbs in the Western League Premier. https://x.com/MasonWinter7 In 2019/20, he began a successful Six year stay at Bristol Manor Farm where he played 149 of the 199 games he has played in this division. He is noted for his defending at close quarters, high energy, overlapping runs, his versatility across the backline and leadership qualities. Winter honed his skills in the academy at Bristol Rovers. A fan favourite in his time at Manor Farm, the player will be available for selection at Hungerford on Saturday and we look forward to seeing him play. Welcome Mason!

Darren Holmes (Words) Owen Huggins (Images) Following the end of the pre-season fixtures we are very pleased to announce the signings of three players who featured and impressed in those games; Aaron Wellington, Louis Jagger Cane and Caleb Pryce-Hall. Combative midfielder Aaron Wellington has put pen to paper on a deal that sees him join brother Jacob at the Slee Blackwell Stadium. The all action midfielder displayed a good eye for a goal at Brixham in this division last term with 9 goals from 37 games. It’s a quick return for forward Louis Jagger Cane, who begins a third spell for the Yellows' after he departed to Willand at the backend of the season. He found the net 8 times from 23 competitive games for Tiverton in the previous campaign and the technical forward is a strong addition to Asa Hall’s squad. Emerging talent 19 year old attacking midfielder Caleb Pryce-Hall, made a telling impact for Oldland Abbotonians in the Western League in their 2026/27 campaign.This will be his second season in senior football and he is an exciting sought after prospect. We extend a warm welcome to all three and they will all be available for selection on Saturday, in the season’s opener at Hungerford.

Saturday August 8th Hungerford Town v Tiverton Town 3pm Kick Off At Bulpit Lane Darren Holmes (Words) & Viv Curtis (Images) So here we are, ready for the kick off to the new season. Both ourselves and our hosts will have experimented with different formations, tactics and personnel in pre-season, but with preparations complete, it’s now over to the players and the coaching staff, come 3pm, Saturday. Louis Jagger Cane in his first outing back in yellow away to Bridgwater in pre season. The corresponding fixture last August, when the sides were playing in Step 3, finished with Hungerford just coming out on top. 2-1 was the score that day with Louis Jagger Cane Tiverton’s scorer from range, in a game that the Yellows’ had had the better of the play, but not of the end result. Tivvy did however beat them 2-0 at home. Danny Robinson's team warmed up for this first encounter, away at Step 3 opponents Stratford Town. They triumphed 2-1 and remained unbeaten during pre-season. At the same time, Tiverton were edging out Cullompton by the same scoreline. The Yellows' have announced that three players who have been integral parts of the squad during pre-season, have all signed for Tivvy. Midfielder Aaron Wellington, attacking midfield player Caleb Pryce-Hall and returning forward Louis Jagger Cane are all committing to the club. Asa Hall’s side’s open training session at the Slee Blackwell Stadium on Tuesday evening saw them put the finishing touches to their prep, and they will be hoping to make a positive start. There are no major injury concerns that I’ve been made aware of, so Tiverton should have plenty of players to choose from. Crusaders’ manager Robinson who has been through many differing emotions in football will of course have been devastated by relegation, but will have very much embraced the challenge of trying to return the club to its not so distant, football glory days. Along with his coaching staff, he has undertaken a recruitment drive that has seen no fewer than Fifteen new signings, many of whom are proven at this level and some like Ryan Clarke have operated very successfully higher up the football pyramid. Clarke was Oxford United number one over quite a few seasons and has made in excess of 200 EFL appearances. Additionally utilising his impressive glovework at Forest Green, Bath City and Salisbury City. He was first choice at all three. Clarke has a very good chance of completing 800 games. The 44 year old has returned from Corsham. Inspirational and wholehearted midfielder James Clark has been a top quality performer in Steps 2 and 3 during a fruitful senior career. The 30 year old who made a big impression in a previous spell with Hungerford, arrives after three strong seasons with Basingstoke. Another exciting acquisition is gifted, quick footed winger/attacking midfielder, Nana Owusu. A product of Reading’s academy, the 28 year old has played a lot of his football in National League South. The sides he represented at that level were; Oxford City, Maidenhead, Hemel Hempstead and Dulwich Hamlet. Havant & Waterlooville were his last club. Heavily involved in pre-season, Centre Forward NMamdi Nwachuku has an outstanding goal record over his career. The 31 year old former Reading and Colchester academy player is pacy, powerful and has that knack of being in the right place at the right time. He was with Uxbridge last term. Gael Kileba is a tricky winger/attacking midfielder, who is now 23 years old. He started at an early age in Tottenham's academy and then spent 6 years at West Ham where he was a regular member of their Under 18 side. Another bright prospect to arrive is technical midfielder Brad Smith. Smith was contracted to National South team Hemel Hempstead, starting his senior career in the 2022/23 season. He has first team experience there and Southern League experience in loan spells for; Hitchin, Kings Langley and Royston. Glancing through the Hungerford players that have returned for another season. Seasoned performers with plenty of pedigree, centre back pairing Matt Berry-Hargreaves and Jordan Rose give the Crusaders a solid and physical backbone, with years of know-how. Berry-Hargreaves begins an eighth successive season at Bulpit Lane and he was very much part of the side that plied their trade in National League South. He began his senior career at the club, before being scouted by Oxford United where he was a young pro. Rose has a big physical presence and is a commanding central defender who was an EFL player with Stockport County. Powerful and with good distribution, he has carved out an impressive non league career. The ex National League player is 36 and has played for Weymouth and Havant & Waterlooville when both sides were higher in the pyramid. Rose spent time in Southampton’s and Bournemouth’s academies. Ramarani Medford-Smith is a talented defender who is established in Hungerford’s backline. Highly thought of at the club, the full back is strong defensively and a skilful runner when bursting forward. The 27 year old was professionally contracted to Reading and as a loanee played for Wealdstone and Torquay. Midfielder George Smith is a tenacious, energetic player with good footballing attributes. He has played over 160 times for the Crusaders, beginning in 2019/20 and this will be his sixth campaign at Bulpit Lane, having played for Thatcham in the 2020/21 season. One game should carry little weight in how both sides fare in this division, however they will share the intention of hitting the ground running or at the very least giving themselves a performance to build on.

Match Report Saturday August 1st At Adopstar Park Cullompton Rangers 1 Goss 5' Tiverton Town 2 A.Wellington 57' Jagger Cane 90' Darren Holmes Tiverton wrapped up their pre-season with a 2-1 win at neighbours Cullompton Rangers. It was a strongly contested encounter with Louis Jagger Cane’s last gasp winner only telling a small part of the story. The team was set up with Louis Smith in goal, a trio of Finn Hodge, Ed Palmer and Louie Slough in front of him, with Jack Kennell and Aaron Wellington in the central midfield positions. Jacob Wellington and Finn Roberts out wide, and Caleb Pryce-Hall just behind Aiden Horne and Owen Howe. The Yellows didn’t settle early and found themselves in arrears when an enticing free kick out wide, deep in Tivvy territory, was flicked on in the area by Steve Goss and carried on into the corner of the goal. Finn Roberts volleyed attempt in the 21st Minute. Growing into their game and enjoying more possession, Pryce-Hall went close in the 10th minute with a shot from point-blank range. Some half chances followed, but it wasn’t until the 21st minute when Roberts tried his luck from range with a volley that narrowly missed that any further serious alarm was caused. Rangers were standing up well, holding their own and looked dangerous in wide areas. Just beyond the half-hour mark, Asa Hall’s men recycled the ball from a corner. Palmer, who had remained in the box from the second ball in, met the ball strongly with his head and, but for the intervention of a Cully player who handled on the goal-line, would have evened things up. Ed Palmer showing his aerial strength in defence. The Referee applied the letter of the law and the hosts were reduced to 10. However, the host’s goalkeeper McAndrew guessed the right way and got down low to his left to deny Aiden Horne’s penalty attempt. A committed challenge on 35 minutes from Jack Kennell was late and despite a few of the local fans’ looking for numerical parity to be restored, the Referee brandished a Yellow card. Although having a man less, the home side were still pressing and some probing link up play saw Callum Chivers’s dangerous inviting cross find Josh Coles, who couldn’t quite get his effort on target. There were half chances for the Yellows' going into the break, but in the face of adversity and with a decent first half showing from Cully, few could argue with the half time scoreline. It had been a frustrating opening period from the visitors. Latest addition to the Yellows, Caleb Pryce Hall, showing his confidence on the ball. A couple of minutes after the resumption, Corey Koerner, on as a second-half substitute, produced a storming run from inside his own half. He rode challenges and advanced to the byline before pulling the ball back to Pryce-Hall, who misread the script and stroked narrowly wide of the upright. Palmer, who had defended masterfully alongside the dependable Slough, headed goalwards in the opposing box on 55 minutes. Unfortunately, though, his attempt was central and was gobbled up by McAndrew. A triple substitution for the Yellows at this stage resulted in Louis Jagger Cane, Karim Coulibaly and Billy Tucker joining the action and Aiden Horne, Owen Howe and Finn Roberts making way. Opening goal scorer Aaron Wellington The leveller arrived shortly afterwards, full of good movement and crisp passing, and ended fruitfully. The ball reached Aaron Wellington on the angle, and he finished emphatically. With Cullompton defending manfully, they restricted Tiverton to a few half chances as the game progressed further. There was the odd bit of creativity from Tucker and a promising dart from Coulibaly, but we never really took the game by the scruff of the neck. 90 minutes had been played when Jacob Wellington skilfully weaved in and out of a few Cully players and then slid in Jagger Cane for the game’s decider. The Referee blew his whistle shortly afterwards, and the Yellows had unconvincingly got over the line. Jacob Wellington put in a battling display and a quality on the ball assist for our winner following his brother's leveller. Pre-season is now complete. It’s been a mixed bag performance wise, encouraging at times and not at other times. I think it’s fair to say that this wasn’t the best dress rehearsal for the season’s opener at Hungerford. Asa Hall’s men will need to improve their levels, if they are to make a good start next Saturday. Full credit to Cullompton, who deserved a share of the spoils, and best of luck to them this season. Tiverton: Smith(GK), Hodge(45), Palmer(C), Slough, A.Wellington, Kennell(77), J.Wellington, Roberts(55), Pryce- Hall, Horne(55), Howe(55) Subs: Koerner(45), Jagger Cane(55), Tucker(55, Coulibaly(55), Flowers(77)

Pre-Season Match Preview Cullompton Rangers v Tiverton Town Saturday August 1st 3pm KIck off AT Adopstar Park To finish their pre-season campaign, the Yellows travel to neighbours Cullompton Rangers for a local derby. Familiar faces will greet them, with ex-player, assistant manager and caretaker Manager Richard Pears taking care of the side. Behind the scenes, legendary former manager Martyn Rogers is in a commercial role with Cully. His achievements go without saying, and it will be good to see both. Our hosts have had two marquee friendlies in pre- season, hosting Torquay and Scott Rogers’ Weston Super Mare. The South West Peninsula East side, also will have played three teams, two steps higher when their pre-season reaches its conclusion on Saturday; Willand, Exmouth and ourselves. The club will have a growing belief, with a third-place finish last term, that Western League football is definitely within the realms of possibility. Tiverton’s busy preparations ahead of the new season saw them narrowly defeat Ilminster, who ply their trade in the same division as Cully, on Tuesday evening. This will be the Yellows' eighth game. No one can really assess how well pre-seasons have gone until a little way into the competitive fixtures, but there have been promising signs, with good individual and team performances, for when it all gets underway at Hungerford next weekend. Asa Hall and his coaching staff, which includes former Cullompton manager Steve Orchard, will have in mind the starting Eleven for that game, but opportunities will be given on Saturday afternoon to stake final claims for a place in that team. Others will have to guard against complacency, in thinking that they have done enough. Current first teamer Aiden Horne was a prolific and popular part of our hosts’ team before moving to the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium last term, and he will come face to face with his brother Luke Horne, who is a talented and key defender for Richard Pear’s side. Former Cully player, Aiden Horne rounding the keeper for his goal in our opening pre-season win away to Roman Glass St George. (Viv Curtis) Experienced midfielder Adam Bilcock came through Exeter’s academy and has a very good range of passing and know-how. Previously he played for the Yellows, Barnstaple, Exmouth and Crediton. The 35-year-old’s footballing travels have also taken him to Australia, where he was with Robina City. The White brothers Lloyd and Lucas White are integral members of Cully’s squad and both previously were at Elmore. Lloyd is a skilful attacking midfielder with an eye for a goal, and Lucas White is an accomplished and dependable defender who often captains the side. Josh Coles, a forward/ winger who combines pace, trickery, assists and goals to good effect, was at Okehampton before, and Cameron Webb is often on target. Known for his spectacular finishes, the forward is a pivotal performer. Callum Chivers is a striker who played under First team coach David Steele at Willand. The talented front man joined the home side after a standout season for Bishops Lydeard. He has also worn the colours of Bridgwater. Momentum is perhaps the most underrated thing in football, and despite this not being a full-blown competitive fixture, going into the start of the season in good spirits, full of positives and with a strong mentality cannot be overlooked.