Saturday, October 5 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm
Tiverton Town v Dorchester Town
Isuzu FA Trophy, third qualifying round
NEXT on the horizon for the Tivvy players is the FA Trophy. This weekend's tie pairs them with fellow divisional rivals Dorchester Town, the two sides having already met at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium back in August, when a 1-1 draw was a fair reflection on a closely-fought encounter.
Last Saturday, the team were incredibly unfortunate to not come away from their home Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South game Gloucester City without at least a share of the spoils. There was little or nothing in that game against a much-fancied rival, and it was a very professional performance with bright spells of play.
The Magpies are the only team to register a victory against Gloucester in league action, so, once again, a similar or better display will be required to progress into the next round.
Everything will be decided on Saturday, as this season’s rules of the competition mean that, should the game be level at full-time, then the game will go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
Tivvy manager Leigh Robinson, a former manager of the Magpies, will be pitting his wits against the wily ex-Poole Town boss Tom Killick who appears to have transformed Dorchester’s fortunes since arriving at the club last autumn. This will be his fourth meeting with the Yellows since he took the reins, and our boss will be intent on redressing the balance by securing a first win over Killick on Saturday.
Dorchester’s prolific frontman Olaf Koszela was popular amongst the Tivvy fans during a few stints with us and the ex-Torquay man has established himself as a regular in Killick’s line-ups. His six goals from nine game this season signal his threat.
Shaquille Gwengwe, whose season was slightly delayed through injury, is another forward player to catch the eye and the Yellows will need full alertness to nullify the Magpies striker.
The squad is heavily stacked with members to have played under the Dorchester manager during his days at Poole and this formidable contingent includes defender Will Spetch; midfielders Jack Dickson, Wes Fogden, Corby Moore, Luke Roberts and Harry Hutchinson; and striker Luke Pardoe.
The sixth-placed Magpies have themselves only been defeated once this term in the league, having accumulated 15 points.
We will be looking for an extended run in the competition in what promises to be a highly charged atmosphere, with the Dorset side always being well supported on their travels.
Tiverton should approach this game with renewed optimism, having found some good form of late. Collectively, they have posed greater problems for their opponents in recent weeks and will be hoping to continue that into Saturday’s fascinating match-up with the well-drilled Magpies. The Yellows have also looked more solid when put under pressure.
Injury doubts Mike Baker and Tor Swann will be looked at before Saturday, and captain Matt Britton appeared to take a knock in the Gloucester game, but, otherwise, Leigh Robinson seems to have a strong roster of players to select from.
What is clear against such formidable opposition is that we will need to stay focused, be creative to open up a well-organised Dorchester, and make our chances count.
A decent crowd is expected at The Ian Moorcroft Stadium. Come along and be a part of it.