Tuesday, July 23 . Pre- Season Friendly
Tiverton Town 0
Willand Rovers 0
Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 7.30pm
THE scoreline might suggest a pretty non-eventful game with little to entertain a crowd of just over 200 on a fairly dark Tuesday evening.
However, this was far from a dull meeting of the two local rivals and, with better finishing and without the telling interventions of the two goalkeepers, the outcome would have been somewhat different.
A sharp injection of pace and quick feet from Theo Jeremy with 12 minutes played saw him carry the ball beyond a few Willand players before releasing Leighton Thomas, who was unable to angle his shot either side of George Burton in the Rovers goal and the visitors’ ‘keeper foiled the Cayman Islander.
A few moments earlier, a good ball in from our latest signing was met by the head of Joe Parker, who headed back cleverly, but a misunderstanding from Javan Wright and Thomas saw an interception from an opposition defender snuff out the momentary danger.
Speaking of Jeremy, he was one of five players under the age of 20 that Yellows’ manager Leigh Robinson selected in the starting line-up. Accomplished performances from Calum Thomas, Sam Gleeson, Jack Carter and the again impressive trialist in midfield points to a bright future at the club for our youngsters. Our trialist defender was a commanding figure, as well.
However, Willand were creating chances too and former Yellows favourite Owen Howe flashed a shot just wide of Manning’s upright. Another effort deflected behind, as the lively Douglas Camillo and Harvey Dorothy asked questions of our young backline, skilfully surging forward, Manning making one excellent save low down.
At the other end, Burton seemed to get in the way of everything that Tivvy threw at him. Wright, busy and alert as usual, drew an excellent stop from him and he also denied Parker and was a massive barrier to the Yellows taking the lead.
Jeremy was not too far away, as well, but the first-half concluded without either side conceding.
The Yellows had a really good spell of pressure after the interval but a combination of top goalkeeping from Burton and some wayward finishing meant the score remained goalless. Smart handling from a Parker header and then an uncharacteristic attempt straight at the inspired gloveman from Parker kept the scoreboard in check.
A blazing driven shot from Wright also brought an impressive fingertip save from Burton. For Willand, Camillo was only a whisker away with a curling free-kick low down, and Dorothy and Howe also threatened, but Manning stood firm and performed well.
A raft of changes in the second half saw Niall Thompson return from injury, with Asa Hall and Jay Murray joining proceedings and our midfield trialist once again giving a stylish performance in the centre of the park.
Jeremy, with some fine trickery, got to the by-line and put testing crosses over on three or four occasions. Murray, in his short time on the pitch, added momentum to our play, Hall manipulated the ball wisely and Thompson showed few of the ill effects from the injury that he picked up at Exmouth. In fact, his extreme pace saw him recover the ball from a Willand attacker in on goal after a team-mate was caught in possession and the Willand player had a ten-yard head start. We also saw his trademark darting runs and a goal-line clearance from him.
Our former captain Jamie Richards showed his experience for Willand on many occasions, along with Ryan Guppy, the long-serving and inspirational player for Rovers.
There was to be no match winner, as clean sheets were deserved by the ‘keepers and defences. An excellent outing for both sides and the Yellows continue their preparations for the new season at home to Truro on Friday.
Tickets for that match are available to buy on line from the official Tiverton Town FC website.
Attendance: 211.
Pictures from club photographer Viv Curtis
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