Chairman?s cup final Chairman?s Cup Final Tavistock 2nds 4 Horrabridge .2 THIS had been a gruelling week for the 2nds. With the quarter finals, semi-finals and finals all within seven days, the final result looks all the more impressive and their achievement says a great deal for the team?s determination and drive and the hard work of manager Mick Piper. The mid-week semi against Launceston U18s was possibly one of the most demanding and difficult of the season, Launceston being a very disciplined and well organised team, but Tavistock managed to get through to the finals with a 2-1 victory. The final started with Horrabridge taking the initiative, with a number of early attempts on goal catching Tavistock slightly flatfooted. Fortunately this proved to be an immediate wake up call for Tavistock and they responded in kind, putting sustained pressure on the Horrabridge goalmouth while the Tavistock defence dealt comfortably with any threat. Twenty-two minutes into the game a long clearance from the Tavistock keeper found Craig Hodge who, managing to beat the off-side trap, neatly headed the ball over the stretching Horrabridge keeper to give Tavistock a 1-0 lead. The second half started with Horrabridge again taking the initiative determined to regain parity, often looking dangerous on the break. But despite their efforts, a good through ball was picked up by Neil Talliss who blasted it from the edge of the box past the Horrabridge keeper putting Tavistock 2-0 up. Refusing to lie down Horrabridge pulled one back six minutes later, and they were back in the game. Tavistock had other ideas and replied almost immediately, Hodge sending a rocket past the keeper to make it 3-1. Determined to take the game to extra time Horrabridge replied minutes later with a fine header into the Tavistock net. This was becoming a real nail-biter for both sets of fans but with four minutes to go Andy Bacon put the game beyond the reach of Horrabridge. Meeting a well placed cross from Paul Gliddon he tapped the ball past the keeper to give Tavistock the game and the Cup. Man of the Match Award ? Craig Hodge.
