Seeking the Killer Instinct
- Darren Holmes
- Jan 13, 2024
- 2 min read
Tiverton Town v Hayes & Yeading
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South
The Ian Moorcroft Stadium, Ladysmead. 3pm
WHILE the Yellows are not winning games, added pressure begins to mount. In fact, the pursuit of three points is crucial for both sides come kick-off today. Tiverton and their opponents share very similar records. The difference being that, whereas Tivvy have shown good signs of improvement of late, Hayes & Yeading's form has dipped since the end of October.
A 3-0 victory then, against Basingstoke, was the last time they registered a win in the league. The Yellows’ last triumph was more than a month ago, when Bracknell were the visitors. In the reverse fixture on August 12, it was a resounding 5-2 win for tomorrow’s opponents. Last Saturday, they played out a goalless home draw with play-off chasing Walton & Hersham.
Former Southend, Aldershot and Weymouth boss Mark Molesley is currently in charge of the London-based club. For the majority of the previous campaign, he was manager at fellow Southern League Premier South side Gosport Borough.
Higher pedigree on the playing side comes in the form of midfielder Amos Nasha. A product of West Ham’s’ youth Academy, he did manage a first-team appearance in a cup competition. The 28 year-old has since plied his trade mainly in National League South, representing a selection of clubs including Concorde Rangers and Chelmsford City before moving to Hayes & Yeading, three seasons ago.
Defender Marvel Ekpiteta also has a wealth of non-league experience and his CV includes stints with Newport County, Chelmsford City, Hungerford, Ebbsfleet, Dover and Billericay and suffering the misfortune of signing pro forms with Macclesfield, just prior to them being dissolved.
Winger Omar Rowe is another to have been on West Ham’s books before joining Southampton’s Academy. He has always been a sought after and top performer at this level. The other teams he has played for in this division are Chesham and Farnborough. Young Luton Town Development striker Toby Braney is a new arrival.
Once again, it is a six-pointer, and a win for either team will ease a bit of pressure.
Leigh Robinson’s side have played an entertaining brand of football for some time now, but, as he alluded to after the Salisbury loss, a killer instinct appears to be lacking.
Jack Rice is consistently finding the net and chances are being created, although taking them has proved to be an Achilles heel. However, Yellows will need to tighten up when defending as a tea, too.
It is always said that it is how you fare against your rivals around you, that counts. So with the two teams in 17th and 18th place respectively, this should be a big motivation.
