Match Preview | Gloucester City

Tiverton Town vs Gloucester City

Tuesday 16th December 7:45pm Kick off

The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

It's been over six weeks since the team have played in front of their own fans. In that time our battle for survival has become harder and harder. A crumb of comfort is that with thirteen games remaining at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, including this one against Gloucester, good home form could make an immeasurable difference. 

Our supporters will welcome back Dylan Jones, a hugely popular and inspirational player for us in recent times and also Marcus Day, a classy winger who definitely deserved more of a chance last season. Also Kane Simpson the gifted striker who left Taunton at the back end of October, for footballing reasons. 

Injury forced Asa Hall and Steve Orchard into making one change prior to kick off and a second after ten minutes of play on Saturday. Corey Koerner due to illness ahead of kick off and Brooklyn Wilkins through injury, a little way into the match were the players affected, so that will influence team selection, with the short time between that game and this one. 

The heartening sight of top scorer Louis Jagger Cane back in action after a lay off was a positive from the 5-0 Farnham defeat. He may need time to be up to speed; in building up to full match fitness and I’m sure physio Tony Cornish will oversee a sensible programme, as he regains full fitness. 

Our management duo will be banking on a full complement of strikers to choose from, for this midweek fixture. However, unless the team can rapidly stop conceding goals, their criteria is almost an impossible one to deliver. 

Gloucester look better equipped this term and Daf Williams’ who replaced Mike Cook who parted company with the Tigers at the end of last season, has wasted no time in putting his own stamp on things at the Tiger Turf Stadium. Wholesale changes to the squad were made in pre-season. 

The young Welshman is 33 years old and held the post of assistant manager at Newport County before accepting the role with Gloucester. Cited for being an attacking and inventive boss, he has previously been an assistant manager at the club. 

Making many additions to the squad in the close season, he persuaded striker Kane Simpson to swap the Peacocks for the Tigers. Simpson’s decision many believe fast tracked the demise of play off hopeful’s Taunton and ultimately ended with the resignation of manager Richard Luffman. 

Simpson didn't set the world alight when he was with us, but in a stay blighted by injury there were glimpses of his potential, which he fulfilled with Merthyr last season. With eleven goals in 18 games in Southern League Premier South this term and 5 in 7 since his arrival at his new club, the early signs are Williams has made a very good choice. 

Wide man Harry Pinchard has proved to be a massive hit with the Gloucester faithful after joining the club last season, following a good football upbringing at Hereford. He has continued that into this campaign, and his six goals emphasise his threat in the final third. 

The promising King Baidoo who was on loan at Yate in the league below last season has chipped in with four goals and the club have high hopes for the talented forward.  

A player who has always performed strongly at this level is mercurial winger Elis Watts and a proven scorer from his wide berth at Hungerford and Weston super Mare, the skilful Welshman Watts who was a pro at Newport County is a real talent. He also has contributed 5 goals to their campaign. 

Emerging forward Sop Obieri is on loan from EFL side Cheltenham and has previous experience of this division with Hungerford. Yet to make his EFL bow, there are high hopes for the young forward in the professional game. He has featured in the majority of the Tigers games during this campaign. 

Aaron Wildig has endured his fair share of injury problems, but the former Morecombe captain’s pedigree is untold. The 33-year-old exceeded over 300 appearances in the EFL for Morecombe, Newport County, Shrewsbury and Cardiff, which is where he started his senior career 

Midfielder Joe Hanks is a managers dream and Gloucester’s top scorer has eight goals to his name this term. The former Cheltenham EFL man notched twenty goals in the last campaign and is on course to surpass that tally, this season. The impressive technical player will need to be closely monitored. 

Fellow midfielder Harry Emmett is an ever present and the local lad who has been with Gloucester since the 2023/24 season, but began his senior career with Cinderford, has become a valuable asset following a loan spell with Redditch United last term. 

Imposing centre back Ben Richards-Everton has a notable CV. The Birmingham native has played in the Scottish Premiership for Partick Thistle. The 34-year-old also played for Airdrieonians and Dunfermline, North of the border. Moving onto Accrington Stanley and then Bradford City in the EFL. National League spells with Barnet, Yeovil and Scunthorpe highlight his pedigree and experience. 

Veteran defender Daniel Leadbitter who made in excess of 100 appearances in the EFL for the likes of Torquay, Bristol Rovers and Newport County has made Gloucester City his home since the 2020/21 campaign and the classy defender who was with his local team Newcastle United in his Youth, will be an important voice in the dressing room. 

Another ever present is defender Ed Williams. The 30-year old’s playing career has included Doncaster Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers higher up the football pyramid. A quality performer in this standard of football and a favourite at Gloucester over three spells, he is a big player for the Tigers. 

Establishing himself as the Tigers custodian is ex Chelsea Academy prospect Jared Thompson. This is his second season with the club, and the Popular Gloveman has also played in higher non-league circles, for the likes of Chippenham and Weymouth and is a top talent at this level. 

The Yellows will need to be at their best to take points from this match and will additionally need to believe in their abilities and strengths. This is a big week for the team going forward, with Dorchester to follow at the weekend. The fans will as always be right behind the lads.