Toolstation Western League: Buckland Athletic 1 Tavistock 5

A HAT-TRICK from Jack Crago helped Tavistock earn their fourth Western League win of the season away at Buckland Athletic last night [Tues].

For a while it looked as though the Lambs would have to share the Devon Derby spoils, after Crago’s 15th-minute effort cancelled out Ben Carter’s early opener.

But the striker added two quick-fire efforts around the 80th minute mark to effectively seal the points, with Tallan Burns and Josh Grant adding some gloss late on.

Fans were still settling into their seats when Buckland broke the deadlock. The Lambs lost possession 30 yards from goal and a good move resulted in Carter firing home.

This stung the visitors into action, with Tyler Elliot firing inches over the bar four minutes later – before Grant had a fine effort well saved by home custodian Kenny Griffiths.

The Lambs levelled the score in the 15th minute. A great move saw Elliot’s fine pass find Crago who slotted the ball home for his first of the evening.

Both teams continued to play some good football but there were some robust challenges flying in, which interrupted the flow of the game. Grant and Buckland’s Joe Belsten both had their names taken.

The game continued to flow from end to end, and Bucks’ Will Hancox saw his thunderbolt of a shot cannon back off the crossbar before being cleared. Lyamm Prynn also saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the line for the travelling side.

Just before the interval, a great run down the left and cross by Crago saw Grant’s shot ultimately deflected away for a corner kick.

The Lambs increased the tempo in their play in the second half and began to get the better of the exchanges, forcing several corner kicks. Buckland made their first substitution, with Gavin Collins replacing Ryan Keates.

The visitors were now having their best spell in the match, playing some fine pass-and-move football and putting the home defence under pressure – with the home team restricted to counter-attacks.

The Lambs then made some changes of their own, with Tallan Burns replacing Luke Brown, Dave Hallett coming on for Callum Watson, and the returning Jordan Annear taking the place of Lyamm Prynn.

Then the Lambs produced some great football in a devastating 15-minute spell near the end of the half, which produced four well-worked goals.

The first came in the 75th minute when a fierce shot could only be parried by home keeper Griffiths. Crago flashed the rebound home to give the Lambs the lead for the first time.

Three minutes later the visitors doubled their advantage, when a great move and some fine work by Annear saw his effort blocked.

But man of the match Crago was the first to react and flash the ball home to complete his hat-trick.

The Lambs were now dominating the play, and four minutes later they got their fourth goal of the evening.

The lively Annear saw a great attempt blocked by the keeper, but Burns was on hand to flash the ball home.

Grant completed the scoring when Annear provided the perfect pass for him to finish with aplomb.

The home team did try to reduce the arrears, but with Aaron Bentley and Warren Daw in terrific form at the back there was no way through – enabling the Lambs to record a resounding well deserved victory.

This weekend, Bradford Town are the visitors to Langsford Park in another Western League clash (Saturday, 3pm).