Tiverton Town 0
Havant & Waterlooville 0
Att: 170
Wednesday 4th March
At The Slee Blackwell Stadium.
After enduring a difficult few days and a short period of reflection, following on from their deflating five-nil loss and the departure of Rob Dray; The Yellows’ returned to the Slee Blackwell Stadium. Atonement however was definitely achieved in Asa Hall's first game in full charge of team affairs.
The stakes were high for both teams at the start of play with Havant & Waterlooville looking to maintain their play-off push after suffering a setback on Saturday, when losing to Winchester and Tiverton looking to get their quest for survival back on track.
Joe Beardwell made a full debut, in place of Nat Jarvis, whose stay at Ladysmead has now come to an end. Things didn’t work out for the ex-Cardiff City and Southend United EFL man, but we wish him every success in his footballing future.
Jeff Forkuo took a Right Back berth, as Niall Thompson played in front of him, in what looked like a 4-4-2 in Asa Hall and new Assistant Manager Steve Orchard’s first, team selection. The Hawks were captained by ex-Exeter City Favourite Nigel Atangana.
The game’s opening exchanges saw Tivvy play with eagerness and intent. Joe Parker pressing Havant's backline and not giving them a moments rest and the entire team were showing good energy levels in more than matching their higher opponents.
Despite this, neither side really had a clear sight of goal in the early stages. Dylan Jones long throw was headed goalwards by Joe Beardwell in the 9th minute, but it looped into keeper Ben Dudzinski’s arms.
The Yellows’ continued to fight for every ball and as a corner found its way to beyond the back post, it was met by the head of Charlie Cummins. The Exeter City loanee though had a virtually impossible angle to score from and his effort went into the side netting.
Cummins who gave a strong performance on the night, then fired a shot in from distance. Dudzinski though was watchful and claimed the ball under his Crossbar.
The visitor’s responded in the 26th minute, when midfielder Olly Pendlebury fashioned an opening for himself, but screwed his attempt wide of Joe Duncan’s goal. Two minutes later, a neat passing move from the away side, resulted in Striker Ryan Seager firing a shot in, that was smothered well by Duncan.
Player-manager Asa Hall in the 33rd minute wasn’t faraway with a long-range volley, but it whistled past the post. The Yellows were shading a very competitive first half and were good in possession with incisive passing and bright link up play.
Dudzinski had to be alert to snuff out the danger, when Dylan Jones played the ball into the area from the right flank, getting down smartly and ahead of onrushing Tiverton players. Spurred on by excellent support from the fans behind the goal, Tivvy were giving everything.
With half time approaching Havant & Waterlooville forced a corner and some decisive keeping from Duncan under intense pressure, saw him palm away. The ball was fired back in and struck a Hawks’ attacker on the goal line. An offside flag though cut short any thoughts of them going in front.
The Yellows were roundly applauded off the pitch at the interval in what was a reassuringly good half from us. Asa Hall and Steve Orchard could be proud of their team’s effort, as we reached the halfway point.
Josh Jones and Toby Down marshalled the troops well at the back and there was much to admire as the fans headed for refreshments on a cold night at The Slee Blackwell Stadium.
Beardwell was replaced by Dan Koita in a straight swap, before we got underway for the second part of the action. Despite feeling his shoulder from a challenge, a short way into the game and continuing to play his part in that very good first half, Beardwell couldn’t continue.
Tivvy were quickly into their stride, when we restarted and were the first to settle. There was plenty of aggression from the Yellows’ and in the 53rd minute a challenge from the determined Forkuo was a fraction late and the Referee pulled out a yellow card.
In the 57th minute, with the game beginning to open up, Dylan Jones flashed a cross shot across the face of the goal, which evaded everyone and went out for a goal kick. Then with just over an hour played, a heavy touch from Harvey Bradbury, allowed Josh Jones to intercept.
Havant were starting to have the majority of the possession at that point, though chances were at a premium for both sides. Defensively though there was a solidity about Tiverton and our last line of defence was rarely breached.
Down and Jones were magnificent at times and the work rate of the team was appreciated by our supporters, as we had to dig in. Cummins and Hall providing a good screen in front of them.
The best chance of the game arrived in the 73rd minute, as the visitors finally found a way through our defence. But from no more than 12 yards out, Lewis Maloney was denied. Further brilliance with his feet saw Duncan Win another one-on-one duel.
The Hawks continued to threaten, with Tivvy occasionally mounting attacks. A good five-minute spell from Asa Hall's side, caused our visitors to concede a couple of corners, with Niall Thompson bombing forward.
The Fan’s felt we had a good case for a penalty as the ball was recycled from a corner, but nothing was given. Pendlebury’s shot in added time was a final half chance for Havant, but it was routinely stopped by Duncan.
That was how it finished and a real sense of pride was felt by the Tivvy faithful as hope was restored by the team. The players gave their all and this was a very good start for the new management duo.
Not far over the horizon though, is Saturday’s crucial game against Frome. A six pointer, with the Somerset side a point behind us, but with Two games in hand, this is virtually a must win game. So, let’s come out in force and get behind the lads.
Tiverton: Duncan, Forkuo, J. Jones(c), Down, Gleeson, Thompson, Hall, Cummins, D. Jones, Beardwell, Parker.
Subs: Day, Koita, Metherell, Howard
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