Blackfield and Langley come unstuck in Tiverton Town test

Southern P remier South: Blackfield & Langley 0-1 Tiverton Town

BLACKFIELD & Langley suffered two 1-0 defeats in four days as Tiverton Town beat the Watersiders at Gang Warily Recreation Ground.

The initial kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes after the officials asked the Blackfield ground staff to repaint various lines on the pitch on a cold and misty night.

When play got underway, the hosts forced Tiverton keeper Lewis Williams into action minutes into the first half as he made a good save to keep the scores level.

However, the visitors responded well and took the lead on six minutes when Jordan Bastin’s fierce shot beat goalkeeper Lewis Noice at his near post. Noice was called upon once again as he made a terrific save from Tiverton’s Josh Key who is on loan from Exeter City.

Blackfield composed themselves and looked to play attacking football with Sam Griffin, Hisham Kasimu and Patrick Suraci looking dangerous in the final third. The hosts came close to levelling the scoring just before half-time, but they were unable to beat Williams.

In the second half, things took a turn for the worst as Blackfield’s James Orvis was given a straight red after a strong tackle on Key. Key was back in the wars again as he was stretchered off with a suspected broken collarbone after 70 minutes.

Blackfield failed to cope with the one-man deficit, and Tiverton started to take over with more possession. The visitors were in control and managed to ride out the final stages of the game to secure a 1-0 victory which sees them jump to second in the Southern Premier South table.

Blackfield sit 18th in the league and travel to Walton Casuals on Saturday in a must-win league game for the Watersiders.

Blackfield & Langley: Noice, Orvis, Hanfrey, Tomasso (c), Bongou, Harfield, Speechley-Price, Gunson, Kasimu, Suraci, Griffin. Subs: Gwengwe, Rae, Yobo, Lea.