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Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup, second round

Tiverton Town v Ilfracombe Town

Tuesday, November 5 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 7.45pm

A FASCINATING encounter at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium awaits Rob Dray as he takes the team for the first time at home. Bonfire Night sees Western League Premier side IlfracombeTown visit for the first time in a number of years: they were FA Vase opponents in the 1998-99 season, when Tiverton famously lifted the trophy against Bedlington Terriers.

Fast forward to 2024 and the Bluebirds have taken a while to adjust to the departure of long serving, popular, and successful manager Clem Bennelick. Overseeing a return to the Western League Premier in a fruitful decade at the club, Bennelick has filled the vacancy left by Richard Pears at Bideford to become Sean Joyce’s assistant.

Captain and fan favourite, midfielder Jack Jenkins has stepped up into the manager’s role and, despite it initially being a baptism of fire in his early games in charge, successive wins against Torpoint and high-flying Street last time out indicate an upturn in form. Willand loanee Tom Chastey scored in the 2-0 victory against Street; the goals are starting to come for the talented forward.

Defender Adam Poole and midfielder Jamie Hearsey have also represented our local rivals. Hearsey is dual registered with Bideford and Poole was part of the Willand backline for three seasons. Aside from these connections, there is plenty of ability in Tuesday’s opponents ranks.

Riley Davis, Sunny Webber and Elis Aldrich played in the St Luke's Bowl first-round victory over Axminster

Dray and his coaching team will be sure to give game time to players on the fringes of the starting 11 and some Under-18s will be in action. The manager is familiarising himself with his squad and this will be a chance to analyse his options and for some players to potentially give their new manager a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South fixture at home to Hanwell. There is an undoubted opportunity to shine.

In round one’s game at Axminster, a trio of youngsters – Riley Davis, Sunny Webber and Elis Aldrich – all gave good accounts of themselves as a Niall Thompson brace helped us to overcome our hosts by a 3-0 margin.

We should expect a very competitive game. As already mentioned, the Bluebirds have a bit of momentum going into this one and, despite obvious changes in personnel, there seems to be a good vibe building inside the Yellows’ dressing-room. Saturday’s draw at Hungerford courtesy of an Asa Hall header, meant we went unbeaten for a third game in a row.

It is free entry for this 7.45pm kick off: will the fireworks be limited to the display across the road or will there be plenty of excitement served up by the two sides when the action begins?