Devon St Luke’s Bowl Challenge Cup, Second Round
Tiverton Town 3 (Grubb 31, Swann 56, Kempster 75)
Ilfracombe Town 1 (Marsh 63)
Tuesday, November 5 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm
A NIGHT of fireworks and football at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium – the impressive pyrotechnics that drifted over from the neighbouring rugby club was not the only attraction that lit up the night sky: a youthful looking line-up comprising of Under-18s and younger first-teamers or those that have not featured as much recently put on a display that caught the attention of the decent midweek crowd as Rob Dray making his home debut as manager.
With Niall Thompson, Dylan Jones and Mike Baker missing through injury; Kai Churchley having played the previous evening for Bristol City Under-21s; and Josh Jones, Matt Britton, Asa Hall and Joe Parker rested, there was plenty to admire.
For the first ten minutes of the game with the display across the road in full swing, the experience was perhaps as close to visiting Galatasary as we as Tiverton fans will come. The distraction and noise made an interesting focus for fans and players alike on a memorable evening for the watching public.
Seven minutes had elapsed when the lively Evander Grubb was played in, but he was not able to get the contact needed to beat Dom Alpin in the Ilfracombe goal and the scoreboard remained goalless. Both Grubb and Tor Swann provided a focal point that asked many questions of the visitors’ defence, driving at and committing defenders with skilful footwork.
Behind them, the tireless Javan Wright often swept forward to dangerous effect and, on 21 minutes after some enterprising play from us and the Bluebirds, Tivvy’s workhorse shot fizzed wide, but laid down a marker.
On a wet surface, the Yellows were slick in possession with good movement in their build-up play. Further back, our teenage central defensive partnership of Dan Harmer and Riley Davis looked very accomplished in stifling in-form Ilfracombe striker Tom Chastey. Harmer’s reading of the game and timing of interceptions was a feature all evening.
Just beyond the half-hour mark, after some bright interplay, the deadlock was broken by Grubb, who took a neat threaded ball in his stride and slotted home with precision.
The first period saw excellent entertaining football from both sides. In the middle of the park, Oli Jenkins and Sunny Webber were regularly breaking up play before the Bluebirds could build up a head of steam.
The high tempo of the Yellows’ game continued following the break with Swann and Grubb asking plenty of questions. On 53 minutes, Farren Simons’ introduction saw the threatening Theo Jeremy replaced. A change in formation did not disrupt the flow of the Yellows’ front-foot play as Simons slotted in nicely with some neat probing passing.
Swann gave Tivvy some breathing space a few minutes after the substitution, turning home emphatically when played in.
Following a double change when the assured Zak Baker made way for fellow ’keeper Chandler Hallet and the impressive Jenkins was replaced by attacking midfielder Elis Aldrich, a swift counter from the Bluebirds resulted in a throw-in over by Tiverton’s left corner flag. The ball found its way through to Tom Marsh, who confidently fired past Hallett.
Swann was then booked after a foul on him went unpunished and he tripped an Ilfracombe player in his attempts to win the ball back.
With 75 minutes on the clock, our two-goal lead was restored when Kempster, who gave a particularly strong display throughout the evening, got forward and rifled a finish from inside the area, into the back of the net.
Tiverton continued to shine, with Aldrich looking dangerous, and Rob Dray, along with his coaching team will, I am convinced, have been very pleased with their players.
The classy Harmer was rewarded with player-of-the-match plaudits and this was an entertaining spectacle for the 301 supporters who were there.
The Yellows, who are back on Saturday at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium, will hope to take the momentum of a run of four games without defeat into their Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South match against Hanwell.
Yellows: Z Baker, Kempster, Harmer, Davis, Gleeson, Webber, Jenkins, Wright, Jeremy, Grubb, Swann. Substitutes: Simons, Aldrich Hallett, Anderson.
Attendance: 301.
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