Devon Cup U18s YMCA Kitto 8 Tavistock Thistles 1 EVEN the best political spin doctor would have a job putting a shine on this performance but Thistles will not blame anyone but themselves. The only good thing to come out of the first half against an average Kitto team was the goal scored by returning striker Tom Rogers which was the first in a competitive match this season. The usual life saver Rob Allum in goal was unable to reach the high standards he has set himself this season while keeping the score down to a respectable level. The first Kitto goal was a superbly struck volley from outside the box. Thistles lost influential captain Alan Kirby through injury midway through the first half. Kitto then went on a goal spree and must have thought Christmas had come early with the Thistles defensive play being weaker than a milky cup of tea and holding the doors open to let Kitto in time after time. Then Rogers struck, pouncing on a through ball he managed to get the ball up and over the keeper from outside the box and with everyone holding their breath it bounced into the roof of the net. This brief encounter with success was short lived as Kitto stunned by their new found acclaim of being the first to concede a goal by Thistles this season came back and scored a sixth. The second half was as bad as the first with the exception of the goals conceded being restricted to two, one of which was an own goal. The lads look forward to this week's game against Callington Colts. DJM Raleigh U14s Hooe Rovers FC 0 Tavistock Thistles 3 Thistles had a full squad and, despite playing on a pitch more suitable to swimming than football, gave a controlled display of quality team work . The conditions were restricting passing play and with little to do early on the defence of Jones, Lowther, Argles and Leeson had time to work out the opponents' strategy. The midfield, strengthened by the return of Northmore, began to boss the centre of the park and pushed the ball wide to Jefferies and Murphy on the wings to play telling crosses. From one Havron and Wearing teamed up to allow Wearing to score the first goal. With regular keeper Haigh out injured, Snell gave a good performance. Thistles started the second half with Lambert and Newton pushing forward. They grabbed a second with Havron beating the keeper with a well taken long shot. Hooe counter attacked but had little joy from the defence with man of the match Jones seeing off any attackers who ventured into the goal area. The third goal came from a corner won by Murphy's persistence, a perfect ball from Northmore headed home by Leeson. This week at home to Woodford Colts. DJM U12s Hooe Rovers 5 Tavistock Thistles. 2 EVEN though they were playing with the advantage of a downhill slope in the first half, Thistles found themselves 5-0 down in the first 20 minutes. Any thoughts of a 10-0 drubbing were quickly dispelled as Thistles took charge of of the remainder of the game. Matt Bragg moved to right back and the defence looked more solid. Corey Hancock led the attack with a swerving shot that hit a post. Before half-time, Adam Cown-King beat his man in midfield, passed the ball to Jack Gerrish, who ran like a terrier and smacked it into the net. The second half was no uphill struggle for Thistles. They worked and passed the ball as a team. Nathan Holland used his head, brain and brawn, with clever passes and strong headers. Jordan Eales combined well in defence with Adam to produce another opportunity for Gerrish which he gratefully accepted for Thistles' second goal. It was a great team effort but Hooe hung on to win the day. Man of the match: Nathan Holland.