Western Morning News (Saturday)
Tiverton entering season-defining series of games after frustrating cup exits
Tiverton Town manager Martyn Rogers heads into a vital Premier Division South home game against Hendon today with all of his eggs in one Southern League basket.
Tiverton suffered a heartbreaking exit to Metropolitan Police in the FA Cup and it was equally painful in the FA Trophy last Saturday when Wingate & Finchley came from two goals down at Ladysmead to defeat the Yellows 3-2 in the dying minutes of the game.
While the cup-tie disappointments have been difficult to take, victory against Hendon would go a long way to brightening the mood at Tiverton as they would move to within a point of their visitors and, if other results go their way, back into the play-offs.
“It is an extremely tight league and you could pick a winner from any number of sides,” said Rogers. “If you look at a team like the Met Police, who are down in mid-table, but with games in hand, they will be a threat.
“There was one result I saw on the weekend that summed up this league. Street were away at leaders Weymouth [in the FA Trophy] and most would have predicted a comfortable home win – but Street got a 2-2 draw.
“It shows what can happen if you’re not at the top of your game.”
Although Weymouth did win the replay against Street by a single goal on Tuesday, it shows the tight nature of non-League football and Rogers has adopted a strategy of rest and recuperation this week.
The fixture schedule has been relentless for Tiverton since the start of the season and the boss gave his players week off to recharge the batteries ahead of the Hendon challenge.
It is an understandable approach from Rogers and it will interesting to see if the fresh legs and minds within his squad can defeat a Hendon side that destroyed Staines Town 5-1 in midweek, with a hat-trick from the dangerous Shaquille HippolytePatrick.
“I’m giving the lads a week off to rest,” said Rogers. “They need a break, it’s been full-on from the start of the season, playing every Saturday and in midweek.
“We’ve also had some tough away trips and the lads need a little breather. Hopefully, it will freshen them up for Saturday and for what is a big game for us.
“The period coming up now generally defines the season.
“There will be the odd team dropping out of contention or coming into contention, but the table after Christmas normally sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
After the Hendon game, Tiverton are back on the road on Tuesday for another big game at Merthyr Town, who, like Tivvy, are lingering just outside the top five and one of those sides capable of putting together a decent run.
“It is then back to Ladysmead for the visit of mid-table Hartley Wintney the following weekend.”
In Division One South, are at home against Evesham United, while Bideford host Moneyfields at the Sports Ground.
In the Premier Division of the Western League, Plymouth Parkway are away at Bitton, who beat Buckland Athletic 5-4 last weekend in Richard Pears’ second league game in charge. Buckland go to Hengrove Athletic, while second-placed Willand Rovers are at home to Cribbs as they keep up their chase of leaders Bridgwater Town.