P&O Combination

Mainstone Sports 3

Tavistock 1

WITH no Jewson League game Darren Halfyard came into the side on the right of midfield.

A fierce wind blowing down the pitch made conditions difficult. Mainstone, with the wind at their backs, had the first real chance when on 15 minutes a forward shot wide when put through.

John Bradford had a good chance after 20 minutes but somehow scooped the ball over the bar from close range after a free kick.

Mainstone took the lead on the half hour when the ball was only cleared from an attack to allow Phil Bennett to volley home from 20 yards.

The strong wind prevented the Lambs from equalising on 34 minutes as Paul Mellor's cross was met by Pete Gibson only to see his shot go wide of a post after the keeper came out and failed to intercept.

Mainstone hit the bar right on half-time and then in injury time scored their second. From a throw in there was a scramble in the goalmouth and the final touch went to Jody Windeath to shoot through a crowded area.

The advantage of the wind in the second half saw the Lambs search for an opener. Chris Abbott set up Gibson who shot over from close range, then Abbott himself shot wide when put through on the hour. Gibson was again unlucky when his shot on target was saved by the keeper who did well to turn his shot around a post.

With ten minutes to go Tavistock finally found the net. Steve Bray's free kick was headed on by Halfyard and a combination of Gibson and Bradford turning it over the line with Bradford getting the final touch.

But just when the Lambs thought they could get something out of the game Mainstone restored their two-goal cushion as Bennett beat the offside trap to run on and slot home past keeper Pat Gibson.

Team: Pat Gibson, Mark Piper, Steve Nicholson, Steve Bray, John Bradford, Adrian Payne, Darren Halfyard, Matt Martin, Chris Abbott (sub Mark Cousins 57m), Pete Gibson and Paul Mellor (sub Gary Penberthy 75m). Sub not used: Steve Trebilcock.

l Fixtures: Saturday: Jewson South Western, Tavistock v Penzance, Langsford Park, kick-off 2.30pm. P&O Combination, George Gillan Cup third round, Woodford Colts v Tavistock at Bull Point, kick-off 2pm.

Sunday: Devon Junior Minor League, Tavistock U18s v Torpoint at Crowndale, kick-off 2pm.