Thursday, April 18 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 7.45pm
Tiverton Town v Winchester City
Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
THE enormity of the Yellows’ task shows no signs of becoming easier.
However, as it has been said on so many occasions, our destiny is in our hands. Points on the board and moving past or closer to our nearest rivals who are battling, like us, to remain in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South is essential.
If we do not secure victory against Winchester on Thursday night, we will more than probably have to win our last two games to stay up and even that, arithmetically, is not a given.
In our previous encounter, a midweek fixture back at the tail end of January, the Yellows went into the break a goal to the good, Joe Parker edging us ahead in a fairly even first half. Despite our advantage, we were second best in the second 45 minutes and this evening's visitors ran out deserved 2-1 winners.
Thursday evening's match promises to be an intensely competitive affair, just like the away game was. The Citizens have proved a tough proposition for many this season and are well drilled with some talented footballers in their ranks. The 11th-placed team have had a pretty good season and are comfortably mid table on 54 points.
They also bear the distinction of perhaps being the only side in this league able to say that they drew away at Home Park this term, that being made possible after Plymouth Parkway were kindly lent Plymouth Argyle’s ground in March.
Wideman Trevor Caborn has caught the eye with his dazzling wing play this term; combative long-serving midfielder and captain Jamie Barron will be driving the Citizens’ forward; and Luke Cairney, a very talented goalkeeper at this level for many a campaign at Poole Town, will be between the sticks.
Ex-pro Jordan Rose, formerly of Stockport County, at 34, brings a wealth of experience and unquestionable pedigree to their backline, and young striker Olly Balmer has started to find the net with greater regularity as the campaign has progressed.
Manager Craig Davis has managed both of the teams he played for as a midfielder: Fleet Town and Winchester. Now into his eighth season in the Citizens’ hotseat, Davis gained promotion a few seasons back from Southern League Division One South and has remained loyal to many of the players who took them up.
The Yellows and the Citizens have similarly played on both Saturday and Tuesday this week, so neither side has an advantage in that respect. Winchester beat play-off favourites Merthyr on Tuesday and we were beaten by a very good Dorchester side. Winchester have to travel extra miles to the game. Those direct comparisons may have no bearing on the match, but, psychologically, could be a factor.
Alex Fletcher’s stay with us is over after he was recalled by Weston-super-Mare. What a player and what a shining example he has been, and I am sure will continue to be in the future. We thank him for his efforts, and he will always be welcome at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium.
Leigh Robinson’s men must quickly learn the lessons from Tuesday’s home loss against Dorchester and be completely focused in trying to get those vital three points on Thursday evening.