Tiverton continue their rise
TIVERTON Town returned to form with a thumping 4-1 win at home to Kings Langley to move into the top half of the Southern League Premier Division table, writes Stuart James.
The return of Tivy legend Martyn Rogers as joint-manger has certainly seemed to galvanise the Yellows who have won two out of three games since his return.
“Obviously I am delighted with three points at home, which was my first game back at home,” Rogers said. “It’s lovely to be back in the dug-out alongside Scott (Rogers) as we would like it to be, to be honest.
“We scored a nice goal after ten minutes and were nice and bright, then they came back at us and caused us a few problems, but I thought we were by far the better side in the second half and the scoreline, 4-1 is probably just about justified.”
Dan Hayfield opened the scoring for Tiverton before Austen Booth made it 2-0 shortly after half-time.
Kings Langley pulled a goal back with a penalty, but Gary Warren restored their two-goal lead with a powerful header before Theo Simpson added a fourth with his third goal in three matches.
In Division One South, Plymouth Parkway’s home clash against Highworth was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Bolitho Park.
Willand Rovers shocked Evesham United at the Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium by returning to Devon with a 4-1 win.
Two goals in three minutes midway through the first half from Mani Skett and Will Richards seemed to knock the stuffing out of United.
Ryan Guppy added Rovers` third with 20 minutes to go and shortly after recent signing Mike Symons had reduced the arrears ,in the 89th minute, Ben Griffith restored Willand`s three-goal advantage.
Barnstaple’s miserable season continues as they were hammered 9-1 at Larkhall Athletic. That was despite Barum taking a first-minute lead too through Rhys Thomas, while Bideford lost 2-0 at home to Paulton Rovers.
In the Western League, Tavistock moved top of the table following their thrilling 5-3 win against previously unbeaten Shepton Mallet and Bitton’s shock 4-1 home defeat to Keynsham Town.
Josh Grant and Liam Prynn led the way for Tavi with two goals apiece with the other coming from recent signing Jake Miller.