Steve Jupp, BA11's Club Historian, ponders a significant home clash for the Robins this Tuesday.
Last term it was Tavistock away in the depths of winter and the season before, that 5-0
January trouncing at Exmouth, but the Robins’ annual horror show came early on Saturday,
demolished and demoralised at Dorchester.
They bounced back immediately from those previous two with positive performances and
results, and will be desperate to put on a show, especially for the fans who were superb
down in Dorset, at Badgers Hill on Tuesday evening against a Tiverton side still searching for
their first win of the campaign.
That encouraging opening day triumph at Gosport exactly one month ago now seems a
distant memory and the cold hard fact is, they have picked up just one point in the five
fixtures since.
Tivvy have become their ultimate bogey side over the years, and you have to go back well
over four decades, to April 1981, for Frome’s last victory over them, an emphatic 6-0
shellacking at Ladysmead. Since then, it’s been a tad one-sided, twenty-one meetings, no
wins, two draws and nineteen defeats so now is the perfect time to bury that most
unwanted of stats.
The most recent clash, surprise surprise, went the way of the team in yellow, an FA Cup tie
here at the Hill a couple of years ago settled by the only goal netted by a certain Kane
Simpson.
After dominating the Western League scene in the 90s, Tiverton rose to Southern League
status in 1999 and have remained so ever since but meetings between the two clubs at this
level have been few and far between.
Season Division Home Away
2017-18 Premier L 0-1 D 2-2
2018-19 Premier South L 1-3 L 1-3
The Devon outfit have been a model of consistency over the last three seasons, finishing
13th , 12th and 14th last term but 2024-25 has been a struggle so far with Saturday’s 3-0
reverse at Gosport extending a record of just two points from their opening six matches to
go along with an early FA Cup exit suffered at the hands of Wimborne.
Even at this early stage, Tuesday’s encounter has the feel of a massive game for both sides
and three precious points would be just the tonic to kick-start a faltering campaign.
Listen to the latest episode of the Dodge The Question podcast!
There's a review of the ties against Easington Sports as Steve and Zeb discuss two new signings, an update on the last episode and a look-ahead to a busy few days in the league.
Secure your entry to September's games at Badgers Hill on the Fanbase app and website!
Well said Juppy and some amazing facts there too. I have a feeling this ain't going to be pretty tonight.
Of course, both Joe O Loughlin and Pierce Mitchell played for Tiverton' and Mike Baker our old centre back is there too and may play tonight.
if Curtis is fit then surely he'll play tonight. With Monksie sitting this one out Smudger is very much needed in the middle. Will Jono get some minutes tonight? His return would make such a difference to our side. We have a lot of skill in the squad - Hopefully, our two 'twinkle toes' - Marcus & Albie can create something for us tonight. I feel that Ollie owes us a …