Derby Day defeat for Yellows

Taunton Town 3

Seymour 29, 70 Simpson 67

Tiverton Town 0

Monday 25th August.

Wordsworth Drive.

Attendance: 1147.

Both sets of supporters came out in force to attend this Bank Holiday Monday derby, and Tiverton's followers definitely made themselves heard, amongst a crowd of 1147. The fans adding to the spectacle of a good game of football. The Peacocks went into the match as favourites and the score line may suggest a comfortable victory, however it's the visitors who will rue missed opportunities, which could have made the outcome of this match very different.

Asa Hall and Steve Orchard sent out an unchanged line up from the eleven that took to the field against Sholing on Saturday with Toby Down captaining the Yellows at his former club and ex Yellows Niall Thompson, Austen Booth, Nick Grimes, Tom Purrington, Alfie Moulden and Kane Simpson were all on the opposing side.

As the two sides tussled for an early advantage, the award of a corner saw Asa Hall head back Gabe Billington’s delivery into the mix, though it was a Taunton head that got there in front of the nearest Tiverton players. Ten minutes had almost elapsed when the first serious chance of the game happened. Louis Jagger Cane, Tivvy’s top scorer thus far, making space for himself with the ball at his feet, but his powerfully struck shot missed the target while Toby Stephens intelligent use of the ball and switching of the play was pivotal for the Yellows throughout.

Niall Thompson then burst forward for Richard Luffman’s side, going past a defender and then warming George Burton’s gloves. It was a little too central to cause alarm and instead the ex Tivvy player who did, going down, clutching his shooting leg and calling Taunton’s physio team into action, prompting a water break, a couple of minutes later the referee called the teams back and a strong run from Dan Koita was the next threatening act. 

A last-ditch tackle dispossessed him, though it gave Asa Hall the chance to try his luck from distance and his opportunist, 19th minute curling attempt, only fractionally cleared the bar and had keeper Exeter City loanee Frankie Phillips momentarily worried.

Taunton had a decent five-minute spell of pressure following that. A Jayden Nielsen cross into the six-yard box, deflected off of a member of Tivvy’s backline, which meant Burton saw it late. Although his alert reaction save was made easier, because it was almost straight at him. The impressive Owen Brain then shifted the ball into a pocket of space through the Yellow’s defence, but fortunately for the visitors when he was in on goal, the ball got stuck in his feet. This enabled Tiverton to clear.

The danger wasn’t over though, and a combination of clinical finishing and the blazing sun brought the games opener. A searching high ball was contested for by Toby Down and Ben Seymour, with Down initially looking into the sun with Seymour, on his shoulder. This allowed the former Exeter City marksman, a clearer view of the ball and as it dropped, his rifled effort into the opposite corner of Burton’s goal wasout of the top drawer. Twenty-nine minutes in and the Yellows were behind.

The Yellows recomposed themselves and some attractive progressive football through the team resulted in two free kicks in central areas around the Taunton box. Tor Swann who was fouled for the first one, picked himself up and stepped up to take, though his attempt lacked power and was gathered by Phillips.

Jagger Cane struck the second one sweetly, up and over the wall, however the Peacocks keeper didn’t have to move, in making a routine save. Kane Simpson who is quick when into his running, then went past his marker after a neat lay off from his strike partner Seymour. Although, he fired across goal and beyond the watchful Burton’s post.

In the 41st minute Niall Thompson was withdrawn by the hosts, after not being able to shrug off the effects of his early injury scare. With half time beckoning, more incisive play from the Yellows resulted in Jagger Cane being sent through. However, he screwed his effort wide.

Taunton held the upper hand as the teams disappeared into the dressing room, despite there not being much in the game and Tiverton will have been frustrated in not at least going into the on an equal footing, but perhaps more so that Phillips in the home side’s goal had not had a save of any note to make.

That changed three minutes into the second half, when an excellent threaded pass from Koita split the defence and found the onrushing Swann. Phillips winning his one-on-one duel though, by denying the lively Swann with his trailing leg. Although Koita is yet to trouble the scorers so far this season, his all-round forward play has been bright and very good. The Yellows continued to be the more constructive of the two sides, with Gabe Billington performing very well in an unaccustomed full back role and linking up to good effect with Swann and the inventive Stephens. 

An equally good chance then fell to Jacob Wellington in the 56th minute whose first touch was good, taking him into the area, but then the ball got caught under his feet, when in a good position to level. This enabled the Peacocks backline to get back and a defender took the ball away from him.

However, the next telling action of the match saw Taunton extend their lead. With 67 minutes on the clock, after Tivvy looking more likely, the Peacocks broke.  After Brain had got round the back, of the Yellows backline, he delivered an inviting pull back into the visitor’s box. In the ensuing play Josh Owers header brought an outstanding reaction save from Burton but as the Yellows desperately tried to scramble away, Simpson following up made it two.

Steve Orchard then made some substitutions, with Aiden Horne and Zack Williams replacing Jagger Cane and Wellington. Tiverton needed to respond quickly to the Peacock’s second goal, but a few minutes later Seymour’s second ruthless finish, seemingly ended all hopes of Tivvy taking anything away from this derby. A confident slotted finish from the angle, after manoeuvring a bit of space for himself, brought a high quality third for the hosts. 

An understandably shell-shocked Yellows did well to rally and following some excellent footwork from Stephens, he unleashed a rasping driven shot, which Phillips’ at full stretch expertly stopped to the top corner of his goal with a strong hand.

That 79th minute effort though, was the last notable action of the game. The vastly experienced Somerset side with plenty of pedigree in their line-up, were made to work very hard and it is testament to Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s side that they were the better team in possession. However, they will be fully aware that they will need to improve their end product.

The Taunton sequel though arrives in rapid fashion. Saturday’s FA Cup tie at The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, will be another chance to proceed in a competition that hasn’t been a happy one in recent Tiverton history. One thing for certain though is that the local rivals, should both have a good measure of each other. Let’s support and get behind the lads.

Tiverton: George Burton, Gabe Billington, Corey Koerner, Matt Wood, Toby Down (c), TOBY STEPHENS, Asa Hall, Tor Swann, Jacob Wellington (69), Louis Jagger Cane (69), Dan Koita.

Substitutes: John Ross, Brooklyn Wilkins, Zack Williams (69), Aiden Horne (69), Sam Gleeson.