TIVVY ARCHIVE

Swindon Supermarine 3 - 1 Tiverton Town

When Marine striker Levi Irving was played in on goal and slotted the ball past Yellows' goalkeeper Lewis Williams, there was a sense of recent history repeating itself - Irving also opened the scoring in the previous Saturday's Pitching In Southern League encounter.

The goal came just before the 20-minute mark. A deflected Ed Williams strike and Labin Ibrahim's shot that he screwed wide following a mazy run had already given warning of Marine's threat. Although Tom Bath had brought a point-blank save from Conor Brann, Tiverton were unable to get a foothold in the game.

Their task became much more difficult when Matt Britton received his marching orders after a challenge on Ibrahim resulted in a straight red card. Adding salt to the self-inflicted wound, Marine doubled their lead from the free-kick as centre-back Ioan Richards converted.

Supermarine were two goals ahead and much the happier at the break and, early into the second half, substitute Brad Gray applied the finishing touch to a sweeping move and effectively put the tie out of the Yellows’ reach.

The Wiltshire side continued to hold the upper hand in moving ten-man Tiverton around, Joe Tumelty going close twice and Ed Williams firing narrowly over his namesake’s crossbar.

A River Allen piledriver did reduce the deficit as the Yellows exerted some pressure late on, with Brann having to tip over, although there was almost a fourth for the home side as a Ben Whitehead effort was cleared off the line.

Tivvy will reflect on the cost of indiscipline being again back in the spotlight. Britton's sending-off was the third in the first two months of the season to accompany two  from the final match of last year’s campaign that meant bans were carried over to this season. This has to be one issue that the management team will be looking at.

Walton & Hersham are the visitors next Saturday and a side who are  comfortably in the top half of the table will be a tough proposition. The Yellows will need to show plenty of character as they strive to turn the tide.