Thames the Breaks

TIVERTON Town boss Leigh Robinson admitted his heavily reduced Yellows were second best in their 2-0 defeat at Walton & Hersham and then immediately turned his thoughts to the club’s most important week of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South season.

Second-half goals from substitute Joe Hicks, eight minutes after half-time, and Nana Owusu, after 75 minutes, gave the home side three points that kept them in touch with the play-off places and left Tivvy in the relegation zone.

Leigh had no complaints about the commitment of his players in a team without suspended captain Jamie Richards; injured defender Jack Veale; and midfielder Jerry Lawrence and defender Charlie White, who were recalled from loan spells at Ladysmead by parent club Bristol Rovers.

Yellows now have three successive home games in which to attempt to climb the table, against Dorchester Town, on Tuesday, February 20; Gosport Borough, on Saturday, February 24; and Winchester City, on Tuesday, February 27.

Leigh said: “We were beaten by the better side today and sometimes you have to hold your hands up on the day.

“The players gave everything. We unfortunately had a lot of options unavailable to us and this showed when trying to chase the game late on. 

“We can take some positives, though.

"The first half was a solid and disciplined performance and we looked a threat, but we conceded at a bad time shortly after half-time and found it difficult to wrestle our way back into the game from there.

“We now turn our attention to a crucial period of three straight home games and need to come away with as many points as possible.”

Pictures: Andy Greig