Tiverton want home tie after Cup progress

TIVERTON Town joint manager Martyn Rogers says he wants his team to go on a run in the FA Cup after they beat Bideford 2-0 at Ladysmead on Wednesday night.

The tie went the way of the hierarchy with Southern League Premier Division South side Tiverton beating their Division One South ‘neighbours’ with goals from Jared Lewington and Chris Shepherd.

Now they will await the second round qualifying draw which will take place this afternoon.

This season, National League North and South sides enter the competition at the next stage, with the games being played on Saturday, October 3.

Tiverton, Truro City and Saltash United are the three teams from Devon and Cornwall remaining, with Torquay United due to enter in the fourth qualifying round and Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle in the first round proper.

“I am absolutely delighted to get through because we want a run in the FA Cup,” said Rogers. “It was one of those FA Cup games - a frantic cup tie.

“We were worthy winners but Bideford made a good fist of it.”

Rogers wants a home draw in the next round - but then won’t all managers? Albeit, there is the burden of paying for some of the visiting team’s expenses. Rogers said: “In any cup competition you want a home draw.”

After starting their league season with a 5-0 win against visitors Wimborne Town on Saturday, Tiverton are at Swindon Supermarine this weekend.

Truro City are also in action this weekend when they make the trip to London to face Hendon.

Paul Wotton’s side were far from their best in midweek, but did enough to see off Tadley Calleva 1-0 in Hampshire, courtesy of a goal from Alex Battle.

“Listen, I just said to the boys, FA Cup games are just about being in the hat for the next round,” he said.

“I’m not really analysing the performance too much. I thought it was a little bit of a carbon copy of Saturday’s game.”

Tavistock bowed out of the FA Cup, 5-4 on penalties, after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Gosport at Langsford Park.