Narrow defeat for Yellows

Hungerford Town 2 

Rose 16 Williams 57 

Tiverton Town 1 

Jagger Cane 68 

Saturday 16^th August  

Bulpit Lane 

Attendance: 289 

Our hosts can consider themselves rather fortunate to claim victory on Saturday, as was alluded to by Hungerford boss Danny Robinson in his post-match interview. Our high energy performances are definitely causing concern for our opponents. However, the ability to stay in games and occasionally grind out results is a trait that is also needed and the more seasoned Hungerford players, dug one out against us. At times in this very competitive league, we will have to do the same. 

A knock that Brooklyn Wilkins picked up against Dorchester meant that Asa Hall was unable to name an unchanged eleven, so in came Gabe Billington to replace him. The matchday squad though consisted of the same sixteen players that served our management team well on Tuesday night. The Yellows signalled their intentions early on a decent grass surface with fluent build up play, leading to two efforts just clearing the crossbar in the opening exchanges.  

Louis Jagger Cane’s dipping curler with barely a minute on the clock and Tor Swann at the end of a rampaging run, firing over, for fast starting Tivvy, five minutes later. With Tivvy enjoying the majority of possession and playing at a high tempo, Dean Moxey took the opportunity to venture forward, however an early blow was dealt to Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s men when the classy defender pulled up when linking up with Hall and was unable to resume in the 13^th minute. 

A slight reshuffle, saw the entrance of centre back Matt Wood, who slotted into the right sided berth in the middle of defence, with captain Toby Down moving over to the left. Around the quarter of an hour mark it was a double blow, as Hungerford who had started to settle, won themselves a corner when imposing central defender Jordan Rose let fly from the edge of the box. As the ball came back out of the area, a deflection took it past George Burton. 

Dan Koita then latched onto a ball over the top in the 21^st minute and after some good close control got him momentarily away from his pursuers, ex Swindon Supermarine and Gloucester City centre back Tyrone Duffus just managed to nick the ball away, in conceding a corner. 

It was clear that Koita had been targeted as a danger man, with Jordan Rose man marking him at every opportunity. Tor Swann was once again running at and committing defenders, with his end product being impressive in sending over some inviting crosses. 

Also carrying a threat was Jagger Cane, who was playing with poise and confidence and taking up intelligent positions in Hungerford’s final third. It’s the pace and good movement from this Tiverton side that is creating good football to watch. 

With Toby Stephens and Hall manipulating the ball well in the middle of the park, there is a good flow to our game. Stephens creativity and his willingness to carry out his defensive duties, has become an integral part of the Tiverton team, early doors. Hungerford although never dominant, were a threat and Curtis Angell struck the ball over, after linking up with Rhys Tyler with almost half an hour played. 

Swann found Hall in a little pocket of space, deep into The Crusader’s territory and his rifled effort, came off Koita and forced keeper Luke Cairney to make an excellent reaction save, thus preventing the Yellows from evening things up. 

Just before half time, winger James Ollis saw his shot blocked by Wood. Good pressure from Tiverton culminated in us gaining a corner before the break and the visitors could count themselves unfortunate to be behind, when the referee blew his whistle to end the half. 

The defence had looked organised and compact, prior to and after Moxey’s injury and Toby Down was looking very composed, along with the solidly built Matt Wood, makeshift right back Gabe Billington and talented teenager Corey Koerner. 

Tiverton required an excellent reflex save from Burton just after the break to stop the hosts from extending their lead, but it was the visitors who continued to pose the greater threat, with a bit of magic from Swann being ended, just as he was taking aim. 

However, a miscalculation in Tivvy’s backline, left the task ahead much more difficult. A ball that was intended for Burton, found its way to Ollis who played in Harry Williams, who had a relatively simple chance to make it 2-0, which he duly accepted. This took the wind out of The Yellows sails for a few minutes and the same combination nearly added to Tiverton’s woes. 

Despite this setback, back came the visitors and after regaining momentum, Jagger Cane from outside the box, connected sweetly with an effort that beat Cairney just inside his post. A good technical strike from the in-form striker, on 68 minutes. 2-1 and game on. 

Tiverton then seized the initiative and piled on the pressure. A fine run from Swann for once saw him over hit his cross, then Koita flying through the air with an acrobatic volley, just missed by a whisker. The Crusaders then broke, and Joe Shepherd almost turned home Matt Berry-Hargreaves delivery in, from out wide. 

Matt Wood up for a corner was then foiled by Cairney from point blank range. In the 78^th minute Koita fouled his marker in the area, who reacted and found himself surrounded by Hungerford players. The flash- point ended with bookings for the Tivvy frontman and Angell. 

In the 83^rd minute Burton produced a top drawer save, as he changed direction and kept the ball out, with a strong hand and then with Tiverton desperate to force an equaliser, a thumping Koerner attempt from at least 25 yards out, almost provided a thrilling finish. Cairney though, denied him expertly at full stretch shortly after the game went into five minutes of added time. 

Despite the Yellows concerted effort for parity, Hungerford clung onto their first win of the season and Tiverton returned home empty handed. Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s men will play worse than this and win. The team were very good today, in front of a decent travelling support and will host early leaders Sholing next Saturday.  

Tiverton: George Burton, Gabe Billington (90), Toby Down(c), Dean Moxey (13), Corey Koerner, Asa Hall, Toby Stephens, Tor Swann, Jacob Wellington (64), Louis Jagger Cane, Dan Koita. 

Substitutes: John Ross, Matt Wood (13), Brooklyn Wilkins, Aiden Horne (64), Zack Williams (90).