The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club
Crediton United 1 - 4 Tiverton TownWednesday 04/08/2004 Friendly | John Reidy |
It was‚ perhaps‚ logical that between the two toughest - on paper‚ at least - matches in Tivvy´s pre season programme‚ should be slotted in what - on paper‚ at least - was possibly the easiest. Devon League Crediton United were the lowest placed in the pyramid of Town´s seven ‘warm-up´ opponents and with the road across the hills from Bickleigh being closed‚ getting to United´s Lords Meadow ground could well have been expected to be the greatest challenge that The Yellows would face. That did not allow for the spirit and battling attitude of the Kyrton side for whom the match was not only a celebration of their Chairman´s forty years service to the club but what might prove to be the best class of opposition they will face in the forth coming season. That fighting spirit was to stand the home side in good stead for over half an hour. Though Tiverton were clearly the fitter and more adept side with just about every player in the line up superior in most departments to their opposite numbers the competitive attitude of their hosts was enough to provide the spectators with an entertaining opening. For United‚ former Tivvy man Ben Harris - whose goal for Exmouth dumped Tivvy out of the Devon Bowl last season but was forced to sit out last week´s game at Southern Road on the seasiders bench with an injury - was outstanding as he marshalled the defence. But Town worked hard and broke their hosts resistance ten minutes before the break when Reinier Moor‚ taking a break from his Exeter City connections worked well on the left flank to lay the ball into the path of Shaun Goff who hammered in a shot from outside the penalty are that had home keeper Rob Johns flying across the goal in vain. Two minutes after the break a neat back heel from Jamie Mudge set up skipper for the night Iain Harvey and Johns was beaten again as the Tivvy mans shot took a deflection that had him moving in the wrong direction as it sneaked inside the upright. Crediton struck back in the 55th minute when Ross Walker headed home Brett Wright´s corner won in a rare Crediton attack. The strike revived the spirits of the United side and again their determination and work rate saw them hold out against constant pressure for half an hour. It was almost inevitable though that they should tire and sure enough with five minutes remaining another crack opened. Goff ran at the defence and was bundled to the ground on the edge of the penalty area. Matt Locke curled the resulting free kick fiercely round the wall and United´ substitute keeper Mike Taylor spilled the ball low down right to the foot of Jak Martin who pounced to add Tivvy´s third. Locke again was the provider in the final minute‚ splitting the Crediton defence with a long through ball to the impressive Moor who covered a dozen yards with the ball tied to his boot laces before slotting it home to round off the scoring. A worthwhile and entertaining exercise for both Town‚ United and City in the shape of Reinier Moor being able to play a full 90 minutes. Speculation? I won´t go there! Tiverton Town: Paul Edwards‚ David Steele‚ Shaun Goff‚ Jak Martin‚ Kerry Skeggs‚ John Haytor‚ Matt Locke‚ Iain Harvey‚ Reinier Moor‚ Mike Booth‚ Jamie Mudge. Subs used: Tom Stocco‚ David Hambly‚ David Hallett‚ Jamie Densham. Crediton United: Rob Johns‚ Emlyn Harris‚ Dean Tickner‚ Leigh Atkins‚ Ross Walker‚ Gavin Hudd‚ Brett Wright‚ Matt Trenamen‚ Simon Burwood‚ John Bradford‚ Steve Lethbridge. |
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