P & D Comb League
George Gillan Cup
semi-final at Brickfields
Tavistock 1
Newmarket 3
THE Lambs went out of a second cup semi in a fortnight with this below-par performance against the division two league leaders.
Defensive mistakes were to prove costly for the Lambs and in the eighth minute they found themselves a goal down. Mark Piper's inside pass did not find a colleague and the ball was swiftly centred in for Dennis to slide it past keeper Tony Rawlings.
Tavistock had chances to draw level with Pete Gibson, Darren Halfyard, and Gary Andrew all going close. Eight minutes before half-time a defensive error from manager Chris Abbott allowed Mitchell to rob him of the ball on the edge of the area. Despite Abbott's challenge he managed to get his shot in to give Rawlings no chance.
Adrian Payne had two chances to bring the Lambs back into the game but one shot went straight at the keeper and the other went over.
It was not to be the Lambs day when from a Rob Hawkins corner the keeper put a goalbound effort onto his upright and the ball was cleared.
Tavistock clawed a goal back with ten minutes to go when Hawkins latched onto a half-clearance to slam the ball into the net.
Sub Paul DaRocha had a chance near the end when he broke clear but the keeper did well to save, and Steve Shaw headed over from a corner right on time.
But the comeback was too late and Newmarket ran out worthy winners.
Team: A. Rawlings, M Piper, S. Nicholson, C Abbott (sub J Bradford45m), P.Mellor, S. Shaw, A Payne (sub S James60m), R Hawkins, G. Andrews ( sub P DaRocha 60m), D Halfyard, P Gibson.
Subs not used D Penberthy and L Fitzsimmons.
Jewson South Western
Launceston 0
Tavistock 4
THE home side had the better of the first half but could not penetrate a Tavistock defence in which Andy Parnowski was outstanding.
The Lambs opened their account on half-time when Pete West failed to collect and Jeff Babb scored from close range.
The Lambs took a stranglehold of the game seven minutes into the second half when Babb set up his partner, John Gosling, to rifle in one of his specials from 25 yards.
Craig Brooks came on with 12 minutes remaining to replace Gosling and it opened up the way for the Lambs to double their score.
Babb had a goal disallowed before Brooks sealed a good win with two goals at the death. Chris Gott sent him away to slide the ball past West, and deep into injury time Babb put him clear to coolly lob the keeper.
A thoroughly professional second half performance from the Lambs which consolidates their seventh position in the league.
l Fixtures — Saturday Jewson SWL, Tavistock v St Austell. Langsford Park kick-off 3pm.
P&D Tavistock v Breakwater at Brickfields kick-off 2 30pm.
Sunday, Tavistock Vets v Kingsteignton away.
Tuesday, Jewson SWL, Tavistock v St Blazey Langsford Park kick-off 7.30pm.