Tavistock Men's First XI 4
OPMs 2
A match-winning hat-trick from Phil Edwards sunk the OPMs in Saturday's top-of-the-table hockey clash.
Tavistock fought back with steely resilience after conceding an unlucky early goal. Nick Aveyard, John Barratt, Phil Edwards, Joe Hess and Phil Honey built up attacks with neat passing interchanges and cut deep into the Old Plymothian defences. Carl Jeffrey panicked the back line with his mazy dribbling.
The breakthrough came when Edwards connected with Christian Oliver's cross and clipped the ball home from a tight angle. His next two goals took advantage of chaos in the D. He rifled both shots past the keeper with an assuredness that shattered OPM confidence.
It was only a matter of time before Tavistock slotted another past a despondent OPMs. It fell to Nick Andrews to sweep John Barratt's lay-off into the boards.
Tavistock were rarely troubled at the back. Angered by the early goal, keeper Neil Bradley responded quickly to dangers and a stalwart Brian Rodda made short work of optimistic passes from the OPM midfield. Kevin Lethbridge and Bob Cowan hassled the opposition strikers with tenacity.
In the dying moments, OPMs salvaged a consolation goal.
Man of the match: Phil Edwards.
This Saturday, Tavistock take on Marjons of Plymouth C at home.