Saturday, July 20 . Pre-season Friendly
Tiverton Town v Weston-super-Mare
Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm
ON the back of a hard-fought 2-2 away draw against Exmouth Town, the Yellows return to Ladysmead to face National League South opponents on Saturday afternoon.
Missing talisman Joe Parker for the midweek encounter, Tivvy also saw a few players pick up injuries ahead of this game. In what promises to be a testing examination against the Seagulls, Leigh Robinson's men will be eager to give a good account of themselves as they press for places in the manager’s starting line-up when the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South action begins on August 10.
Scott Bartlett’s team are into their third game of pre-season, having drawn 1-1 at the Optima with Exeter City and won at Hellenic League Slimbridge by a 2-0 scoreline earlier in the week.
The Yellows have achieved each possible outcome in their first three fixtures, winning emphatically at Wells City, losing narrowly at home to Exeter City, and sharing the spoils on their travels at Exmouth Town.
Jay Murray will be reunited with lots of former team-mates after his two-and-a-bit season’s with his adopted home town and player/coach Ben Gerring has also played for Weston in the past.
Jordan Bastin’s notable productive seasons as a Yellow, both in the way of goals and assists, sealed a move to the Seagulls and the classy wide-man has established himself in Somerset as an important part of Bartlett's plans.
Defender Bailey Kempster was a standout performer for the Yellows in his loan spell from the National South side last season and he was rewarded for those displays in being recalled by his parent club and becoming part of the first team picture there.
Then, of course, there is Scott Rogers’ return to Ladysmead. The Tivvy legend will be warmly received – and rightly so – as Weston’s assistant manager after his many achievements with Tiverton as both player and in a managerial capacity. Equally, off the field, he was often the life and soul of the clubhouse, too.
Our visitors are associated with playing an attractive style of football and, despite the departures of three big performers in Dayle Grubb, Lloyd Humphries and Marlon Jackson during the close season, there is an abundance of talent that still remains.
With James Waite re-joining from Newport County and the powerful Nick McCootie back at the club to compliment the likes of Jason Dodd, Jacob Jagger Cane, Jason Pope and others, the Yellows will need to rise the occasion.
Win, lose or draw, this will be excellent preparation.
Tickets for the game against Weston can be purchased online here.
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