Tavistock Thistles 0

Saltash Utd Juniors 2

THISTLES changed their formation, playing Will Lane in central defence and again employing Corey Hancock in a midfield role, leaving Will Hall upfront on his own.

This worked well as Thistles dominated the first half. Lane was outstanding in defence alongside Connor Hall. Hancock was able to show all his creative skills in his deeper role and Nathan Holland was supporting midfield with strong tackling and good distribution.

But Thistles were unable to turn their superiority into goals. They were unlucky but also wanted to walk the ball into the net too often. Hall went close on a couple of occasions but at half-time the score remained 0-0.

In the second half, with Thistles playing against the wind, the contest was more even. Hancock moved upfront to support Hall but Thistles had less shots on goal. Saltash were increasing the pressure. After the ball rebounded off a Thistles' defender, a left-footed lob from a Saltash player drifted over the head of Thistles' keeper Roger Blandford and drifted into the net.

Thistles suffered another blow when ace defender Lane came off with an ankle injury. As Thistles pressed for the equaliser, gaps were left between midfield and defence. Saltash capitalised on this and burst through the middle to score their second.

Man of the match: Corey Hancock.