Tiverton Town 1
Hall 84
Swindon Supermarine 0
Attendance: 368
Saturday 22nd March 2025
The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
The diagnosis for the Yellows was looking short on hope, four games ago, following the 5-0 home humbling by Basingstoke. However, under the guidance of Asa Hall and Steve Orchard, there appears to have been the instalment of a siege mentality, and we now have a fighting chance.
Yesterday's hard fought, but truly deserved win against Swindon Supermarine means that although other results weren't favourable to us on Saturday, we are now one of four teams on 37 points with Winchester 2 points further on and Marlow adrift.
Full backs Jeff Forkuo and Sam Gleeson returned to the matchday eleven, and Joe Beardwell boosted striking options by being named on the bench.
Gabe Billington who is stepping up his fitness was also amongst the subs. Jamil Roberts was unavailable. Josh Jones aggravated a slight injury he has been managing, in the warmup.
A dry surface made it difficult for the players to play free-flowing football and although there was a lot of endeavour and very good performances within the team, neither goalkeeper had a save of note to make during the ninety minutes, Asa Hall’s goal aside.
The opening twenty minutes belonged to Tiverton with both Niall Thompson and Dylan Jones having some joy down the wings and the bright Dan Koita winning his aerial duels and forcing a couple of last-ditch tackles, when homing in on goal.
The visitor’s Michael Fernandes was an obvious threat, when Marine came more into the game, but the impressive Jeff Forkuo often stopped Fernandes in his tracks and kept the scorer of a first half hattrick in the reverse fixture at bay.
Forkuo’s outstanding display was matched by the blossoming Charlie Cummins who was a classy act on the day. His reading of the game, interceptions, distribution and use of his physical attributes were all on show.
When the creative Nick Peare for the visitors, slid attempted passes through to the Marine forwards, the door was closed quickly, by a Tivvy defensive unit which was expertly marshalled by Toby Down and completed by the promising Sam Gleeson.
Although it was the Yellows who were having the better of it. Though neat approach play was often undermined by passes that went astray or dealt with by the Swindon backline.
A goalless opening period and apart from routine handling, little to cause either Joe Duncan or Fiachra Pagel who had a loan spell with us from Forest Green earlier in the season, any cause for alarm.
On resumption Tiverton stepped up their attacking intent and signalled that, through Thompson and Jones committing defenders on several occasions.
Koita‘s strong showing continued and he was a real handful for the Marine defence, Joe Parker often finding himself outnumbered, but putting a good shift in, despite his heavy attention.
Cummins continued his dominant display and almost got his reward in the shape of a goal in the 68th minute. The Yellows corner count was building, and the Irishman stole in at the back post, but could only flash his shot into the side netting.
In the 70th minute, Marine who had posed less danger in the second half were awarded a Free kick, just outside of Tivvy’s box. Though in keeping with the order of the afternoon, our defensive wall came out on top.
Steve Orchard made a like for like replacement in the 74th minute, as Koita was replaced by Joe Beardwell. The only thing missing from Koita’s afternoon was a goal. He made a favourable impression and Beardwell kept up the intensity on the Marine Defence.
Marcus Day entered Proceedings, as Sam Gleeson was withdrawn. Another attack minded player on the pitch, with Hall & Orchard determined to conjure a vital victory from this game.
Asa Hall though who has proved an inspirational figure, especially in his managerial stints so far, did this singlehandedly. After Jones had been tripped, moving inside on the visitor’s left, Hall stood over the resulting free kick.
It looked for all intents and purposes that Hall was going to deliver a cross into the box. However, at the last minute he fashioned a shot towards Pagel’s near post and that last second decision caught him out and he was unable to keep the manager’s shot from going in, despite getting a hand on the ball.
Hall had worked tirelessly in Tivvys midfield and had released Jones with a fine outside of the boot pass minutes earlier. This clever individual moment, epitomising his efforts, on and off the pitch.
Plenty of encouragement to take from the lad’s spirit alone on Saturday. But when the final whistle blew, it also heralded a Four game unbeaten run and a fourth clean sheet.
As Asa Hall adhered to in his after-match interview, Gloucester are next on the horizon and the play offside are notoriously strong on their home patch. However, they were well beaten 4-0 at Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday and if we can continue this momentum, there is no reason why we can’t be competitive on Friday evening.
Lastly, a word for our supporters behind the goal in particular and in general, who gave massive encouragement on Saturday. We’re all in this together.
Tiverton: Joe Duncan, Dylan Jones, Toby Down, Matt Britton, Joe Parker, Asa Hall, Niall Thompson, Jeff Forkuo, Charlie Cummins, Dan Koita, Sam Gleeson.
Substitutes: Josh Jones, Joe Beardwell, Marcus Day, Gabe Billington, Will Howard (GK).