Winchester City 0
Tiverton Town 2
OG 62, Parker 86
Saturday 15th March 2025
The Charters Community Stadium
Attendance: 362
Asa Hall & Steve Orchard's men went into this match with only a win being viewed as good enough to keep us in touching distance of our relegation rivals. One of them rivals was the team they faced on Saturday and for once they read the script, accepted their roles and acted them out successfully.
In Winchester’s case a win or draw would have been acceptable. However, Tiverton knew that a win on the road in Wiltshire would close the gap to two points on their hosts and in doing so boost their chances of survival.
Matt Britton returned to wear the Captain’s Armband, Jeff Forkuo also started after missing the Frome game due to a family emergency and Dan Koita made his first start since joining the club. Charlie Cummings, Marcus Day, Gabe Billington and Sam Gleeson were the substitutes.
When we got underway the intent of both sides was clear to see, in getting an early goal. Josh McCormick warming Joe Duncan’s gloves after being found by the lively Trevor Caborn in the fifth minute and Dan Koita for Tivvy, in on goal a minute later, but an offside flag stopping him in his tracks.
A burst of pace from Niall Thompson resulted in a corner and from Jamil Robert’s delivery in, player-manager Asa Hall wasn’t far away from heading us in front, with 9 minutes played.
A Winchester player received treatment at that point, allowing both teams to draw breath after a busy opening to the game. Shortly after we resumed, the referee waved away claims for a penalty. Deciding that Caborn was fairly shackled by a couple of Yellows defenders, as he fell into the box.
A free kick was then awarded to the Citizens, deep into Tiverton territory. Top scorer for the home side Ik Hill stood over it, but the wall did its job, and his effort was blocked away for a corner which The Yellows dealt with.
Dan Koita and Joe Parker though were putting in a real shift defensively and were proving good outlets when we did go forward and in the 19th minute Koita made good contact with his volley, but it went marginally over.
Another corner presented a chance for defender Rob Jamison, although he lifted his header over the woodwork. That 22nd minute effort was followed by further opportunities for our hosts.
Caborn forced his way through Tivvy’s backline, but Joe Duncan was equal to his driven shot, with another excellent one-on-one save. In the same passage of play, striker Tommy Wright headed inches wide after, as Winchester piled on the pressure. The Yellows though stood firm against the Citizens onslaught.
In 35th minute, former Dorchester player Callum Buckley, swivelled and shot. A good block ensured we stayed on level terms and Toby Down’s defensive work stood out.
Matt Britton then received a yellow and then with half time beckoning Asa Hall had a decent opportunity to get his volley away as Tiverton had their best spell of the half. It was well struck, but unfortunately right down Luke Cairney’s throat.
However, the half belonged to Winchester and the influential Caborn played in Wright shortly before the interval. Although on this occasion, a wayward finish meant that Duncan’s rescue act wasn’t required.
It was a goalless first half, but it wasn’t a game short on entertainment and the visitors remained in the hunt for a vital three points, despite having to concede that the Citizens were the better side going into the break.
Charlie Cummings replaced Josh Jones for the second half and when we did get back underway, although Buckley looped a header narrowly over in the 52nd minute, the Yellows were coming a lot more into the game.
Just beyond the hour mark Tivvy received a huge helping hand from their opponents. Good pressure from Tiverton brought about a mistake from a Winchester defender, whose misjudgement saw his header go past Cairney, in the home sides goal.
It had been 509 minutes since Tiverton had last found the net through Niall Thompson’s 3rd minute winner against Poole on February 15th, a whole month ago.
We looked a different side after going ahead and were spraying the ball around nicely, utilising the wide threat of Thompson and Jones on both flanks and Cummings looking assured in possession. Playing with restored confidence and conviction Tivvy were starting to threaten.
There was a chance for The Citizens to even things up in the 77th minute, but the attempted shot was blazed over, from a good position to find the target.
A delightful pass from Hall, with the outside of his boot found Parker, but his 82nd minute effort was hit centrally and held by Cairney. However shortly afterwards Parker did beat Winchester’s keeper to end his own personal goal drought.
His accomplished finish when one-on-one with the ex-Poole keeper, low into the right corner of the net giving The Yellows’ a two-goal cushion in the 86th minute.
Tiverton played with a lot of freedom in the closing stages and there were further opportunities to extend our lead. A half turn volley from Parker cannoned off the crossbar and in added time Gabe Billington on for Niall Thompson couldn’t quite finish, following some bright forward play from Koita.
An extremely valuable win for Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s team. The Yellows did what they had to do and if they can do that regularly over the Seven remaining games, then retaining their Southern League Premier South status will be a distinct possibility.
However, too many times during this campaign, a disappointment has followed a success. Backing up this essential win is imperative when we play host to Swindon Supermarine, this coming Saturday at The Slee Blackwell Stadium.
Supermarine are not over the line themselves yet and will view this fixture, as a chance to virtually secure safety. Let’s show our support for the lads at the weekend and take heart from a very good win on Saturday.
Tiverton: Joe Duncan, Niall Thompson, Dylan Jones, Toby Down, Josh Jones, Jamil Roberts, Matt Britton, Asa Hall, Jeff Forkuo, Joe Parker, Dan Koita.
Substitutes: Marcus Day, Charlie Cummins, Gabe Billington, Sam Gleeson.