Carlsberg South West peninsula premier

Tavistock AFC 2

Buckland Athletic 4

THE Lambs efforts to keep the pressure on the other teams at the top of the division, suffered a major blow when they lost at home to a good Buckland Athletic team. The fact that they have not played for three weeks was very apparent as they struggled to get their passing game going, until the latter stages of the game.

The home team were without Glyn Hobbs and Lee Bevan suspended and Lee Blatchford only able to be on the bench due to not feeling a 100 percent fit, with Paul Adcock and Billy Allen taking their place in the starting line up.

The home side were slow out of the blocks and were punished in the fifth minute when the impressive Mike Turner was fouled just outside the penalty area. Antony Lynch curled a superb free kick just inside the far post giving Andy Meeds no chance.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Gavin Hammon coolly placed his shot into the far corner of the net from 12 yards.

Buckland could have increased their lead, seven minutes into the second half when Turner was brought down by Will Stringer. Lynch's spot kick was well saved by Andy Meeds. His save seemed to lift the Lambs and at last there were some signs that the home sides normal passing game beginning to return.

The Lambs opened their account in the 63rd minute when Matt David headed home a Shane Krac corner kick. However the home sides hopes were dented when once again poor marking in defence resulted in Turner firing home from six yards, as after his initial shot had been blocked by a defender.

In the last quarter the Lambs had their best spell of the game and really put a lot of pressure on the Buckland defence and with two minutes to go reduced the arrears when Krac fired home from 18 yards.

The Lambs were really on top now, pushing everyone forward looking for the equaliser. In the third minute of injury time the home side nearly scored, with the ball bouncing about like a ping pong ball, in the Buckland penalty area, somehow the ball ended up in the visitors keepers hands. His long punt forward found substitute John Rimmer who ran through on goal before coolly lobbing Andy Meeds.

This was a disappointing performance by the Lambs, they must work hard to get back on track if they are to maintain a real challenge for honours this season.

l The first team and reserves have no game this week end but the first team play Launceston away on December 26, kick-off 3 before they visit Penzance on December 28, in the Throgmorton Cup, ko 3pm.

East Cornwall premier

Saint Stephens 1

Tavistock Reserves 4

A YOUNG Tavistock side produced an excellent display and ran out worthy winners.

The Lambs had a three goal interval lead, with goals from Connor Ayres, Chris Bray, and a great finish from Dominic Matcham.

John Wilmot reduced the arrears for Saints, only for Jammie Martin to net Tavistocks fourth, to earn very good victory.