Tiverton bosses already planning for new season
SCOTT Rogers says Tiverton Town have identified four players for next season as ‘the vultures begin to swoop’ after four wins in a row since the start of March.
Tiverton won 2-1 at home against Harrow Borough on Saturday to put any fears of relegation from the Southern League Premier Division South behind them. They are now 14th and some more good results before the end of the season should see them finish in the top half, ready to go for a higher finish next time out.
But with success comes outside interest, and joint manager Rogers suggested that had already started happening.
Ahead of big games against teams battling in the upper echelons of the table, Hayes & Yeading United away tomorrow and Weston-super-Mare next Wednesday, Rogers said: “The next two games – Hayes and Weston – will show just how far we are off the top sides.
“I think if we can give those two a really good game then we will know that what we believe is true, that we are a good side and we have just lacked that firepower to get us the goals to keep us in that top half.”
Scott Rogers and co-manager Martyn Rogers are already making plans for next season but they are aware they may lose a couple of their players before then – not just the young and talented ones on loan from Exeter City.
“The vultures are starting to swoop on a few of our players but we have been doing our homework as well and we have earmarked four players that we want to get in for the next season,” said Scott Rogers.
“So we will be talking to them shortly and hopefully if we can agree to get them on board for next season, then we won’t be far away.”
And the relationship with Exeter should continue, too. Rogers said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Dan Green (under-23s coach) at Exeter, he has been brilliant for us over the last few seasons.
“The players have certainly repaid our faith in them with some brilliant
performances.”
Truro City will look to return to winning ways tomorrow when they play host to Kings Langsley having failed to make the most of their game in hand in midweek. Paul Wotton’s side could only draw 0-0 with yate Town at Bolitho Park, which sees them nine points outside the play-off places with only eight games remaining this campaign.
Plymouth Parkway will be looking to continue their challenge for the Division One South title when they head to Slimbridge tomorrow.
Lee Hobbs’ side picked up maximum points from back-to-back home games against promotion contenders Winchester City and Sholing this past week.
Two goals from Callum Hall and further strikes from Jack Crago and Billy Palfrey earned them a 4-1 win in midweek to make it seven wins and a draw in the last eight games for Parkway.
Now, after finally breaking into the play-off places. manager Lee Hobbs has his sights on the title.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work, but we have done that and now it is on to the next one,” Hobbs said. “We find ourselves in a very good position through hard work, determination, team spirit and a real will to win.
“I said to the boys afterwards if they don’t start believing that they can win the league now, then they may as well hand in their kit and not bother turning up on Saturday. It’s there for us if we want it and ultimately, if we win every game we play, then we win the league.
“What better incentive to win is there than that?”
Willand Rovers went down to a 2-1 loss at Cinderford Town despite taking a seventh-minute lead through Ryan Guppy. Tomorrow, they head to second-placed Cirencester Town looking to cause a huge upset.
Barnstaple must win their home game against Evesham to stand any chance of survival, which is becoming increasingly bleak, while north Devon rivals Bideford head to AFC Totton, who are under new management with Jimmy Ball – son of England World Cup winner and former Exeter City boss Alan Ball – now at the helm.