Didcot Town v Tiverton Town
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
OXFORDSHIRE side Didcot Town have found adapting to life in Southern League Premier South tough going since being promoted: they find themselves adrift from other sides and are at the foot of the table.
When they visited us in August, Diddy were defeated 5-3 by the Yellows, our goals coming courtesy of a Cameron Salmon brace, Tom Bath and Niall Thompson, plus an own goal.
This is perhaps the first time in the Leigh Robinson era that we go into a game as favourites. However, nothing should be taken for granted, as, such is the competitiveness in this league, that all teams are capable of beating each other.
Jamie Heapy’s team’s only victory this season came against Winchester City, who beat Bracknell 5-0. They also drew away at Chesham, which is no mean feat.
The importance of guarding against complacency cannot be stressed enough. Goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell, after coming up through the ranks at Swindon Town, had a brief professional career there and defenders Adam Learoyd and Luke Carnell have very good non-league pedigrees, although only Swindon Supermarine have conceded more goals and they have found goals hard to come by, scoring 19 in their campaign so far.
Young midfielder Harley Giles’s performances have seen him move on to National League North side Banbury.
Tiverton, for whom Matt Britton will once again be doubtful, have made a work experience loan signing from Exeter City - seventeen-year-old striker Theo Cutler joins the Yellows after impressing in the Academy sides for the Grecians and is a first-year scholar. He has been prolific in the Under-18 team.
The Yellows’ look like they are virtually at full strength and will be intending to use last week’s heartening display against Bracknell as a springboard.
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