PSF: Tiverton Town v Torquay United 7:30pm 19/7/16

From the Herald today looks like both Gerring and Williams will get at least 45 minutes to run out with the former needed for our first league game due to MacDonald's suspension that still has a game to run. Nico seems to hint that at least 3 more signings are necessary looking at both trailists and potential loan signings.

.@tivertontownfc 1 - 1 @tufc1899 (Duke 57') #tufc Duke directs a header at Perry. The 'keeper struggles and the ball squirms into the net.

A lovely warm evening at Ladysmead. The banners were up in Tiverton, but not to welcome TUFC but to advertise the Mid Devon Show which takes place on Saturday.
After exerting themselves in a fairly competitive game against Argyle on Saturday afternoon, it probably wouldn't have been wise to go hell for leather against Tiverton just a few days later, and so I think it's fair to say another gradual increase in match fitness rather than finding a way to beat Tivi was our main concern.

Sam Chaney took a whack - probably to the head - which he didn't seem to be fully recovering from and so he didn't complete the first half, despite some bright early involvement. Bliss got himself involved with a few niggles with Tivi central defenders, while Courtney Richards was the most physical presence in midfield. The Gibraltarian goalkeeper is vocal, though probably on the short side by today's standards for that position. A shot hit early flew into the corner to give Tivi the lead as half time was approaching; a goal where you credit the power and accuracy of the strike rather than blame the keeper.

Tivi looked fit and combative, and gave our squad a very thorough workout. SuperKev came on for the last 25 minutes or so, adding a touch of class to our defence.
Our equaliser was an extremely soft one, with their goalkeeper somehow contriving to allow the ball to spill from his hands and back into the net.

Angus' 'blonde' hair still gives real cause for concern, but overall Kev will have learned a good deal more about the set up he wants and how some recent editions are dovetailing with new teammates.

Not a sparkling performance from the Gulls, but hopefully a useful stepping stone towards getting us up to speed as the big kick off draws ever closer.