TIVVY ARCHIVE

Exmouth Town 1 - 0 Tiverton Town

Good ol' Auntie - the BBC to those requiring a more formal mode of address - as part of her remit to provide a modicum of religious broadcasting‚ gives up three minutes of so of 'through the night' air time to interludes entitled "Pause for Thought". These brief moments are given over to representatives of just about every religious sect active in Britain in order that they might present a word or two of wisdom‚ guidance or morale uplift in line with their beliefs. On the morning of this Tiverton game against Exmouth I caught the last of these intentionally inspirational interludes on the Terry Wogan Breakfast Show. Admittedly it was hardly at a 'through the night' time‚ 9.15 am‚ but we members of the TOG's (Terry's Old Gits) operate to a slightly different timescale to the rest of the world. The speaker was a leading Methodist whose opening salvo made me prick my ears. "We Methodists believe that nobody is beyond help. There is always hope". And those words merged with my semi-conscious mental wanderings about Tivvy's next game and left me (almost) converted to the doctrine being preached. Despite the Yellows erratic behaviour of late there were signs of hope - there had to be. Unfortunately as full lucidity eased across my brain the reality struck. Exmouth v Tiverton was a hiding to nothing situation for the Mid Devon side. A resounding win and everyone would say‚ "and so it should be"‚ anything less and the critics would be moaning about their shortcomings. After last season's encounter I prayed that it would be the former. At least a decent victory would ease the confidence‚ and hope‚ levels up. The despair of defeat would take more than words of consolation from a Methodist minister to ease.

As expected‚ and promised‚ the fringe players were given the chance to start by Tiverton Manager Martyn Rogers who also used the game to try others in less familiar roles. His Exmouth counterpart Russ Wilson also took the opportunity to rotate his squad. The opening manoeuvres were conducted at quite a fearsome pace but it was all action and little flowing football from either side. The home side quickly came to terms with the fact that the only way they were going to make a match of it was to work‚ work and work some more‚ both to contain Tiverton and to make the most of what chances they might be able to create for themselves. The result was that they challenged for every ball‚ tracked back when beaten and showed boundless energy when chasing forward. They competed for every ball that was available and a lot that weren't.
The visitors showed a lot of patience‚ trying to establish control in midfield but not succeeding as their hosts refused to let them settle or allow them the space or time to play the smoother football that might have been expected of them. And as the minutes ticked by there was a marked change in the attitudes of the players in the blue shirts They realised that with just a little more effort it would be they that were on top‚ their opponents the underdogs. They found that effort - it's called spirit. Not a word was spoken but they all knew‚ as a unit‚ that they could cause an upset and they went for it.

Tiverton continued to patiently plod along as if nothing was happening‚ nothing was about to happen and when it did it would fall their way - after all it was their God given right‚ wasn't it? No‚ it wasn't. If it had been then Tivvy's first attempt on goal‚ a diving header from Paul Milsom would have been in the net instead of yards wide. If it was then we wouldn't have had to wait until the twenty fifth minute for that first chance to come their way. The Yellows began to struggle‚ they began to complain - to and about each other. Exmouth merely played for each other. A flare up between Jamie Mudge and Andy Widger showed the difference as Exmouth skipper Steve Taylor jumped straight to the aid of his team-mate. All three received yellow cards for their part in the incident but it was to mark the point at which the home side took control. Shaun Goff let fly with a shot that curled away and crossed the goal-line closer to the corner flag than the upright in the 35th minute but from that point on it was the home side that looked most like finding the net and came close to doing just that. A minute later and Ben Harris escaped down the right‚ cut in and fired low into the side netting. Three more minutes and Danny Burwood drove in a long range shot that Brian Cann in the Tiverton goal held well and another two minutes saw Widger take a speculative lob over the top of the keeper that was only inches over the cross-bar. Tiverton's response - a wasted corner kick. the half time whistle came almost as a blessed relief.

We have all seen the effect that a few stirring words at half time can have on a team when taken to heart. If any were delivered in the Tiverton dressing room on this occasion they were as effective as a chorus of "Always Look On The Bright Side" would have been. The Yellows emerged for the second half as if that's just what they were doing‚ looking on the bright side. They were certainly not looking any brighter‚ in fact within minutes they were looking much like the cast of Monty Python on a football field - a bunch of comedians going through their routine‚ following the script to the word without the hint of an ad lib or innovation anywhere in sight. But unlike the Flying Circus‚ it wasn't funny to watch. Exmouth were inspired and up for the battle. Tiverton appeared casual and unconcerned. They went through the motions but there was no spark‚ no fire. And they paid the price. Chris Holloway‚ under pressure in midfield‚ lazily pushed a pass towards Rees. It lacked the momentum necessary to reach the intended recipient and before Rees could reach it‚ in nipped Ben Harris to rob him‚ slip past him and lob the ball over Cann who had advanced towards his penalty spot in anticipation of a possible back pass. Harris and his colleagues celebrated‚ the Tiverton defenders shouted at each other.

Tiverton raised their effort and won a corner. Big deal. A minute later they were lucky to find themselves still only a single goal down‚ a Richard Spiller effort ending in the side netting. For a while - ten minutes or so - Tiverton did force themselves on top. They managed to get close enough to actually take a few shots at goal‚ Mudge firing in two‚ both under hit and no trouble for Exmouth keeper Simon Harris to scoop up‚ and a speculative crack from David Steele that was way high. Probably the best chance came in the 74th minute when a cross from Danny Haines wide on the left was diverted for a corner inches before it reached Milsom's head. But by this time Tivvy were fading again. There was an air of resignation‚ acceptance. You could almost hear the excuses being rehearsed‚ if not audibly then in the body language. "It just wasn't our night"‚ "These things happen"‚ "Can't win 'em all"‚ "That's football". For the travelling fans, it wasn't football, or at least not as we know and are used to. We are used to seeing a team that will fight to the last, not roll over and accept their lot. These things don't just happen, they are caused and it is difficult to disagree with those that feel the cause is a lack of commitment and pride in wearing the shirt. No, it wasn't Tiverton's night and while they have the skill and ability but fail to use it with passion - it never will be.

Exmouth Town: Simon Harris, Danny Burwood, Neil Saunders, Jason Down, Steve Taylor, Tom Gardner, Andy Widger, Ben Harris (Rhys Tippett, 90), Jamie Densham, Martin Parker, Richard Spiller
Booked: Widger, Taylor

Tiverton Town: Brian Cann, David Steele (Steve Winter, 76), Shaun Goff (Paul Chenoweth, 76), Jason Rees, Graeme Power, Rob Cousins, Danny Haines, Chris Holloway, Paul Milsom, Richard Pears (Steve Ovens, 64), Jamie Mudge
Booked: Mudge

Referee: R Greenwood (Exeter)