TIVVY ARCHIVE

Tiverton Town 0 - 0 Chesham United

When the final whistle blew on 24th October 2020 to confirm a 5-0 win over Walton Casuals, it was almost unimaginable that it would be another 293 days before the Yellows would play their next competitive fixture in the Southern Premier League, as well as another season being cut short; especially when the season before (2019/20) was expunged due to the Covid pandemic.

Tiverton's first opponents of the 2021/22 season would be Chesham Utd, last meeting as far back as 26/03/19 losing 0-2 but today the points were shared after both sides created good opportunities but neither could capitalise on their periods of superiority.

Following an impeccably observed minutes silence to mark the recent Plymouth tragedy, kick off got underway however it would take until 15 minutes played until any real opportunity arose, a superb save from Beasant to keep out Kazolas header following Man of the Match Joe Belstens cross from the right.

Both sides continued to create chances and Chesham continued to look dangerous, however never notably giving Williams anything too much to contend with. Eight minutes from time, a Shepherd free kick was curled around the wall but straight at Beasant, which pretty much summed up the first half, going in goalless at the break.

The Yellows got the second half underway and although no substitutions, the home team looked a ‘changed side' looking brighter and sharper. Almost from kick off Wright almost released Koszela, only Isaiah Jones had other ideas and he just about managed to get in the way.

5 minutes later, a superb Belsten block denied Casey and the visitors the lead after they had done well to create a shooting opportunity.

From that moment on, a whole host of chances came to the Yellows in the space of 5 minutes but again they wereunable to break the deadlock. Shepherd shooting wide following Wrights chested set up, Beasant saving brilliantly from a Koszela 20 yard strike and a goalmouth scramble eventually ending in Beasants grateful arms.

The visitors continued to press, Oliyide again with an opportunity wide before a great save from Williams to deny Zak Joseph with Ronny Mfinda hitting the rebound narrowly over but their quest for all three points was effectively ended 12 minutes from time, as Chesham Utd were reduced to 10 men, Brad Clayton given his marching orders for an off-the-ball offence that left Belsten in a heap.

The Yellows pressed hard in the final few minutes, trying to take advantage of the extra man and perhaps could have won it in the dying minutes. Beasant flapping at a Belsten cross which fell straight to Morison but his effort ballooned over from 12 yards.

On reflection, a draw was probably a fair result with both sides looking dangerous and no doubt will look forward to the return fixture in January. The Yellows now look ahead to Tuesday evening as they face Poole Town at the Tatnum Stadium.

Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams, Joe Belsten, Craig Woodman, Aaron Dawson, Gary Warren, Austen Booth, Louis Morison, Dan Hayfield, Matt Wright, Olaf Koszela (Theo Simpson 80), Chris Shephard (Jordan Lam 70)

Attendance: 262