Match Report
Poole Town 0
Tiverton Town 1
Thompson 3
February 15th 2025
At The BlackGold Stadium
Too many final whistle’s have blown this season without the Yellow's taking full advantage of winning positions. Too many close fought games have ended in defeat or with honours even. Getting across the line could prove pivotal, but the Yellows will have to rediscover this formula on quite a few more occasions to ensure safety.
Both Tivvy fans and Poole supporters have suffered plenty of disappointments during this campaign and the importance of inflicting defeat on a relegation rival will have been emphasised by the respective coaching staff.
Illness meant Tiverton had to do without the services of Asa Hall and injury ruled out Gabe Billington. Fellow Exeter loanee, Charlie Cummins a midfielder by trade, slotted into the right side of a Three at the back, with Niall Thompson and Sam Gleeson deployed as wingbacks.
The Yellow’s made a bright start and as Niall Thompson stood over a free kick in the Third minute in a dangerous position, he had the option of going for goal or floating a cross in. The ex EFL man opted for the former and his decision paid dividends, as his deflected effort rifled into the net.
The Dolphins responded with a header that flashed wide of the target a few minute’s later. Then as the Yellows’ piled forward, Thompson went down just outside the box, but the Referee wasn’t convinced. Shortly afterwards a Josh Jones interception halted a promising Poole move.
A borderline offside decision with Joe Parker leaving Josh Staunton trailing in his wake, was ruled in favour of the hosts. Joe Duncan was looking commanding and plucked an inviting cross in, out of the air.
A good spell of pressure from Tivvy, resulted in a corner and a Dylan Jone’s long throw. From the latter Thompson’s cross gave Poole respite, as the ball went out for a goal kick.
Just beyond the 20 minute mark and the Yellow’s were looking good for their lead. That almost changed when a Dolphins’ attacker found himself in a one-on-one with Duncan. Though with customary agility once again the Bristol City loanee came out on top, in a situation that he appears to thrive in.
The skilful Marcus Day who had been making quite a few inroads into Poole territory was then tripped. Toby Down was the taker from the resulting free kick, but he lost his footing on delivery and a follow up cross was lifted over the bar.
Duncan then made an outstanding stop from a stinging close range shot and the hosts’ forced the issue with around five minutes remaining of an edgy, nerve jangling first half. However the threat of Joe Parker is never faraway when the game gets stretched and he was inches away from playing in Dylan Jones, with his threaded pass.
Parker’s well struck shot on 45 minutes, but for a good save from Poole Keeper Ben Taylor, would have extended the visitor’s lead. Thompson then burst forward, but his cross was just out of Parker’s reach and it was the Yellows’ who ended the first half in the box seat.
When the side’s re-emerged from the dressing rooms, it was Tiverton and in particular the lively Day who threatened first. Some quick footwork causing our hosts to concede a corner. Toby Down rose well, but his goal bound header wouldn’t have counted if it had gone in anyway, as a Tivvy foul was spotted by the Referee.
With 52 minutes played returning skipper Matt Britton, who was working manfully in The Yellows’ engine room, looked to find Parker. His pass however was a little too strong to reach its intended destination.
For a while Poole took charge of possession and defensively we had to be strong and stay disciplined. Jones, Down and Cummins were solid and focused in the heart of Tiverton’s defence. Sam Gleeson and Thompson did well to keep the Dolphin’s at bay in the wide areas, in what was a testing period.
The midfield were working hard to deny their Dorset opponent’s time and space. The alert Duncan made a decisive intervention and smothered the ball at the feet of a Dolphin’s forward, when he was sent through.
On the hour mark, a Yellows’ break upfield saw Parker cross from out wide and it took a good piece of defending from former National League Centre Back Josh Staunton to clear the danger. Thompson then crossed in from a free kick in a dangerous area and Dylan Jones’s powerful strike went agonisingly wide.
The play returned to Tiverton territory and Joe Duncan made a challenge just outside the box, which was deemed a foul in the 65th minute. Dead ball specialist Charlie Davis’s attempt though was blazed into the wall, as the player’s in it remained compact.
The Yellows’ then broke at pace. However, the increasingly involved Thompson’s ball in, went behind the Tiverton player’s who had flooded the Poole area.
The hosts’ continued to probe and Duncan got down smartly, to make a fine save to palm behind for a corner in the 69th minute and then claimed the corner as it was curled in. Another attempt hit the side netting and that ripple effect fooled a few Poole fan’s who thought they had equalised.
Kai Churchley replaced the impressive Day after 73 minutes. Josh Jones made an excellent covering tackle, as the Dolphin’s continued to press. An offside flag was raised to cut short a Tiverton attack and then Toby Down made a vital block to protect the Yellows’ lead.
Although, it was Tiverton who finished the game strongly. A recovery tackle prevented the determined Dylan Jones from being one- on-one with Poole’s keeper. A last man challenge from Staunton was considered a foul on Nat Jarvis with the 90 minutes up and a Red Card was issued.
The free kick that followed from Churchley was fired over the crossbar and just prior to the final whistle, Parker's blasted shot was a whisker away.
We mustn’t get carried away, as we remain in the bottom four. However, many, including myself viewed this as a must win game and the lad’s delivered. We are still searching for an upward curve result’s wise and as Rob Dray alluded to, a good amount of points have been targeted in Five games.
Game one achieved 3 points, but the Yellows’ next fixture sees them visit Play Off placed Walton & Hersham. And I would suggest a further Two wins in this Five game sequence will be required as a minimum to ease the pressure in and around us. Though for now let’s enjoy a much better outcome for Tivvy.
Tiverton: Duncan, Thompson, Cummins, J. Jones, Down, Gleeson, Britton (c), D. Jones, Day, Jarvis, Parker
Subs: Churchley, Forkuo, Koita, Wojtowicz
Comentarios