SUPPORTERS packed into Langsford Park on Monday night to witness Tavistock AFC take on Sheffield United in a pre-season friendly.

The turnout of 1,580 was the best attendance since 1952 ? and the Lambs proved themselves to be worthy opponents with a final scoreline of 5-2 to the Blades, reflecting an impressive performance by the home side.

The Blades, who were playing a large proportion of their first team, set the pace when they established a 3-0 lead by the tenth minute, but Tavistock restricted their opponents to just one more first-half goal.

Eight minutes after the break Tavistock came into their own when Ryan Daley?s free-kick was steered home by Paul Adcock before keeper Andy Meeds made his best save of the game to keep out Ian Ross?s penalty.

Nathan Blamey made it 4-2 when he converted his spot-kick after goalkeeper Phil Barnes was adjudged to have fouled Adcock. The last goal of the match went to Sheffield when coach Tony Daley rolled back the years to score six minutes from time.

Secretary of Tavistock AFC Eric Pinch said he was delighted Neil Warnock and his team made a return visit to the club this year: ?It?s great to have professional players here, both for the home team and the spectators. It is also great practice for the Lambs and everyone was delighted with their performance.

?The crowd was up by about 300 on last year when the Blades came down and the atmosphere was really good.

?The Stannary Brass Band played and the teams were presented to the mayor of Tavistock and West Devon and to our new president, Geoffrey Cox.?

There was a parade of winning girls and boys from the junior teams and the ballboys were from Tavistock Thistles under 9s and 10s teams.

Neil Warnock was presented with an engraved Dartington Glass trophy from Tavistock AFC to commemorate the occasion.