Walton & Hersham 3
Nuur 12, Powell 19, Bolton 62
Tiverton Town 0
February 22nd
At The Elmbridge Sports Hub
It was always going to be a tall order to build on our away win at Poole last Saturday and so it proved. We came up short against Play Off placed opponents whose attractive style of play was very much Centre Stage, as the Yellows’ were well beaten by the Thames side.
Kai Churchley had Bristol City commitment’s and Gabe Billington although close to a return was not fit enough to be included in the Matchday squad. Asa Hall had recovered from Illness and was a starter. However, Matt Britton nursing an Injury, took a place amongst the Substitutes.
There was a speculative volley from Niall Thompson in the game’s infancy, as a Dylan Jones long throw was headed out to him, by a Swans Defender. Although, the home side were quickly into their stride and spraying the ball around with confidence.
In the sixth minute Marcus Day did well to see the danger in covering round to intercept, with Walton & Hersham threatening. More impressive interplay though Five minutes later resulted in Anis Nuur finding the net via a deflection off of Johl Powell.
On the quarter of an hour mark; Bobby- Joe Taylor’s Free Kick, rebounded off the base of the post. But the assured hosts did strike again quickly, with the prolific attacking midfielder Powell grabbing a second. From a tight angle, he produced an accomplished finish.
That 19th minute effort left the Yellows’ with a small mountain to climb, but with lots of time remaining. The Swans’ were firmly in the ascendancy though, as Tiverton struggled to impose themselves on the game.
In the 43rd minute the team were indebted once again to Joe Duncan, who pulled off an excellent reaction save. Two down at the break the visitor’s knew they faced an uphill, but not impossible mission in the Second Half.
Looking to make an immediate impact after the interval, The Swan’s endured some early pressure from Tivvy and a good block allowed them to break at pace. It took a well timed intervention from Josh Jones to clear away a dangerous low cross.
Then some last ditch defending saw The Yellows’ forcefully scramble the ball away off of their goal line, as Walton & Hersham sought the decisive third goal in the 50th minute. Moments after, Dylan Jones hooked a half chance over from a Tiverton corner.
Good handling from Duncan was needed in quick succession as he got down smartly to deny Taylor and from the resulting corner held Nuur’s attempt. Both sides then made substitution’s on the hour mark. Our change saw Dan Koita replace Joe Parker.
A 62nd minute goal from our hosts pretty much ended all hope of us getting something from this match. Duncan couldn’t hold Taylor’s shot from range and on hand to tap home was Elliott Bolton. The Swan’s then utilised their squad as the impressive Taylor and ex Salford City player Joey Jones were withdrawn.
Substitute Alex Body’s driven shot from close range saw Duncan make the first of three magnificent saves, before this game reached it’s conclusion. Instinctively springing across his goal and turning the attempt onto the bar and out for a corner.
And with Walton & Hersham very much the dominant force in the closing stages, he demonstrated agility and expertise to deny Body again and goalscorer Nuur, with two equally, outstanding stops.
There was time for an acrobatic effort from Koita to flash wide, but in all truth The Yellows’ had been very much outplayed in London and a slick display from the Swans’ saw them achieve a comfortable victory.
Defeat on the road for Rob Dray’s men leaves them in the relegation places. However, with three home games to follow in the next two weeks, opportunities loom to put a significant run together. The first chance to do that will be next Saturday, when we host lower mid table; Basingstoke Town at the Slee Blackwell.
Tiverton: Duncan, Thompson, J. Jones (c), Down, Gleeson, Hall, Cummins, D. Jones, Day, Jarvis, Parker.
Subs: Forkuo, Koita, Britton, Orchard.
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