The unofficial archives of Tiverton Town Football Club
Tiverton Town 2 - 1 Poole TownSaturday 29/10/2022 Southern League Premier Division | Tivvy Archive |
Tiverton defied the odds to take a full three points in their meeting with high-flying Poole Town, with goals from Jack Fanning and Lucas Vowles either side of a Wes Fogden equaliser for the visitors. The Yellows, stricken by the unavailability of five first-team players, handed a debut to centre-half Lewis Evans, while Fanning made his first league start for the club in a back three completed by Craig Woodman. The square pegs were forcibly shoved into round holes across the pitch: Niall Thompson at right wingback, Joe Belsten and Dylan Jones in central midfield, and it was only the front two, the goalkeeper and Louis Morison who were fully familiar with their surroundings. Poole looked to make the most of the disjointed nature of their hosts and controlled the early stages of the game, both territorially and in terms of possession. Indeed, it wasn’t until the fourth minute that a Tiverton player had a meaningful touch beyond the halfway line, and one could have been forgiven for thinking the writing was on the wall, with another defeat looming for Tivvy. Nevertheless, gradually the hosts found their rhythm, and Leighton Thomas twice missed the target with his head, while Lewis Williams was largely unbothered at the other end, aside from taking a knock from Fogden as he slid out to claim a loose ball. It was still against the run of play that Tiverton took the lead as Morison clipped in a free kick from the right, with Fanning gambling at the near post, and his diving header saw the ball just inside the post with Dolphins goalkeeper Luke Cairney flat-footed. It was a goal as popular as any at Ladysmead in recent times for the Under 18s defender as he became one of the clubs youngest ever goalscorers, and worth noting that beyond this crucial contribution Fanning had an excellent game throughout, belying his years and lack of experience. Tony Lee brought a save from Williams soon after (a save for the cameras rather than one which forced a full extension from the Tiverton stopper), and Poole were level just a couple of minutes into the second half as they made the most of the solitary error of the game from the otherwise impeccable Woodman. A big up-and-under from defence saw Lee beat Woodman in the air, and his controlled flick-on fell perfectly for Fogden to slot past the advancing Williams. Throughout the second half game was relatively even: Poole were technically the better side, but the determination of the Yellows, and their unyielding effort saw a number of chances created. Jones blasted over from a tight angle, Thompson saw a low drive fizz across the face of goal, and finally the breakthrough came. A Williams clearance was helped on by Morison, and Vowles kept his cool to weave into space with two defenders in close attention before planting his shot to Cairney’s left. Poole threw everything forward in the latter stages, only failing to force an equaliser through bad luck and some crucial defensive play. Substitute Toby Holmes was unable to convert a back-post header, Williams scrambled the width of his goal to push Will Spetch’s header wide, and then it was Williams again to the rescue to thwart Homes, Spetch and then Jake Andrews in quick succession. A final chance from Spetch was blocked in the goalmouth by Joe O’Loughlin to secure an unlikely victory for Tiverton, lifting the Yellows a couple of places in the standings, while Poole were consigned to their first league defeat in nine matches. Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams, Joe Belsten, Joe O’Loughlin, Louis Morison, Lewis Evans, Jack Fanning, Leighton Thomas (ollie Mehew 64), Craig Woodman, Lucas Vowles, Niall Thompson (Matt Buchan 85), Dylan Jones Poole Town: Luke Cairney, Declan Rose, Coby Moore, Jamie Whisken, Will Spetch, Wes Fogden, Adeoye Olumuyiwa, Luke Pardoe (Toby Holmes 66), Tony Lee, Marcus Daws (Jake Andrews 77), Jack Dickson Attendance: 327 |
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