Parker, Baker, Miracle Makers

AMONG the many important contributions to Tivvy's successful survival scrap to avoid relegation from the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South were those of goalkeeper Zak Baker and striker Joe Parker.

Both players were loaned to Tiverton - teenager Zak by Plymouth Argyle and the more experienced Joe by Gloucester City - and both were inarguably pivotal to the Yellows' fortunes.

Zak played 29 times, keeping eight clean sheets - including five in the final ten games of the season that ultimately ensured Tivvy steered clear of the bottom four; Joe scored 11 goals in 15 matches without which Tivvy would have dropped at least another six points.

It is beyond doubt that Yellows' fans would like to see both players back at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium next season but manager Leigh Robinson recognises that might not be a wish that he can fulfil.

He said: "Joe's on contract to Gloucester at the minute, but he's really enjoyed his time here and scored goals, put himself back in the back in the spotlight as it were, has really mixed in with the boys in the dressing room.

"We weren't worked scoring many goals and, when he came in, he really transformed the season in terms of the goals that he scored, which had a great effect on everyone else, as well.

"Zak has been absolutely superb and for such a young kid to have authority and such presence in the goal, to make the saves that he saved, has been absolutely massive.

"Whether we can get him next year, who knows? Plymouth may want him to go higher. But he's been a fantastic asset for us

"It's always difficult because when you get when you get younger pros from professional clubs, but, from minute one, he was he was fully part of it.

"What people don't see in our games we've had where he's made an unbelievable save minutes after 60, 65, 70 minutes or whatever and we have gone on to win. Sometimes those moments get forgotten about because it's the goalscorer that gets all the glory.

"But he's made so many of those big contributions this year and if we can get him back next year, all well and good; if not, someone's got some big shoes to fill."