Active Alarms Senior Challenge Cup Semi-Final Tamarside 4 Tavistock 2nds 1 RATED as the underdogs in this match, Tavistock struggled from the kick-off, coming under immediate pressurefrom Tamarsides' disciplined and creative strike-force, and with their midfield stifling any breakout that Tavistock attempted. It began to look like the visitors were in for a rough ride. Fifteen minutes into the game, a hotly disputed handball decision gave Tamarside a free kick just on the edge of the box. And from what appeared to be an impossibly acute angle the ball was thundered past the Tavistock keeper to give the home side a deserved 1-0 lead. Five minutes later another free-kick was floated into the area and a rare piece of mis-handling from the Tavistock keeper deflected the ball into the net, presenting Tamarside with an unnecessarily conceded second goal. Tavistock retired dejectedly to the dressing rooms at half-time staring at a 3-0 deficit after a penalty was awarded to the home side with ten minutes to go and the prospect of another onslaught in the second half. With a few adjustments to the team structure in the second half, Tavistock got off to a spectacular start with Andy Bacon blasting a ferocious shot from the halfway line just three seconds in, catching the Tamarside keeper cold. Tavistock suddenly looked like a different team and piled on the pressure for the next twenty minutes, convinced they could get something from the game. Unfortunately a fourth goal from Tamarside killed off any hopes of a Tavistock comeback. And, despite battling to the end, Tavistock were unable to break down a formidable and disciplined team.
