TIVVY ARCHIVE

Royston Town 3 - 0 Tiverton Town

Tiverton Town continued their away days blues with a comprehensive defeat against a very technical and free flowing North Hertfordshire side Royston Town at Garden Walk. On the bright side the game survived an early morning pitch inspection and saved the team a 442-mile round trip on a Tuesday night in the new year.

Tivvy, fresh from their abandoned game against Frome Town on Boxing Day, were looking to make sure that their last away trip defeat to Biggleswade Town was a mere blip. Tivvy started with Martin Rice still struggling with Flu in goal, Tom Gardner restored back in defence to partner Jamie Price and Ben Mammola. The Wing Backs were Callum Hall and Nick Hurst with the midfield consisting of the duo Ollie Knowles and Mike Landricombe. Tom Bath played in the hole just behind the front two of Levi Landricombe and Jared Lewington.

The early exchanges saw Royston Town peg Tivvy back in their own half and exert pressure on the back line. First the impressive John Frendo tried his luck with a long range shot and then Sam Corcoran had a shot that whistled just wide of Martin Rice’s goal. The first real chance however came on 20 minutes when Adam Marriott showed some neat skill with a deft flick to burst free but some-how he shot straight at the Tivvy keeper. Tiverton had to make a replacement shortly afterwards as Nick Hurst was caught with a late challenge and was substituted by the versatile James Richards. Tivvy were incensed on 34 minutes when Jared Lewington burst through into the box and went down under a very heavy challenge from Adam Murray. The bench went up in anticipation of a penalty award and fully expected Levi Landricombe to add to his goal tally, but the referee waved the appeal away. On 42 minutes Royston who were turning the screw had a very dangerous free kick but again Martin Rice dealt with it without any problem. The teams went in to the dressing rooms at 0-0 and on the balance of play Tivvy were the happier with the score line.

Royston came out of the blocks in the second half with renewed vigour and the ref waved away a Royston penalty appeal that had Tivvy hearts racing. Tivvy made a second substitution with Scott Rogers adding strength to the midfield replacing Callum Hall. Royston had other ideas and after a great turn, run and cross by Josh Castigilone and a flick by Adam Murray to John Frendo he superbly volleyed in the opener giving Martin Rice no chance. Worse was to follow on 65 minutes when Tivvy were caught out by a quick free kick from Adam Marriott for that man John Frendo to finish again with aplomb. Tivvy were quite happy to see Frendo replaced on 68 minutes but the scoring didn’t stop. Royston’s third goal came on 75 minutes when Adam Marriott got in on the act to beat Martin Rice with a 25-yard dipping, swerving shot that hit the back of the net.

Tivvy made their final substitution with Jamie Short replacing Tom Bath and in the 82-minute Tivvy had their first chance of the half when a burst from James Richards saw him glide into the box and a low shot from the battling defender whistled past the home keeper Josh Tibbets who was on loan from Peterborough United by a whisker. That was the last attack Tivvy had and it was now a damage limitation exercise to keep the score line under the four goals that were conceded down the A1 at Biggleswade. Tivvy managed to keep Royston from adding to their tally with the players and management pleased that the final whistle sounded to end proceedings. The Crows however were the team crowing at then end of the day whilst Tivvy has a 221-mile home trip to look forward to.

This season has surpassed all expectations and games like Royston Town who are very technical and contain ex -football league players should be counted as experienced gained. Tiverton will grow from games like these and will need to adapt when facing similar teams. I have no doubt they will as on the day Tivvy can compete against anyone in the league.

Tiverton Town: Martin Rice, Nick Hurst (James Richards 34), Callum Hall (Scott Rogers 54), Jamie Price, Tom Gardner, Ben Mammola, Tom Bath (Jamie Shoty 75), Ollie Knowles, Levi Landricombe, Jared Lewington, Mike Landricombe