Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Royal Marines 2

Tavistock AFC 5

PLAYING up the slope against a strong breeze, the Lambs found it tough in the first half at Endurance Park.

Both sides created chance but the Marines had the greater share of play, putting the visitors defence under pressure. The first 15 minutes were even with both sides struggling to get any momentum. The closest the Lambs came to scoring was when John Wyatt made a fine run down the right and his cross into the penalty area found Dean Southcott but his header was wide of the target.

The Marines then wasted two golden opportunities, missing the target on both occasions when the should have found the net, before John Wyatt produce another fine run and cross in the 28th minute, once again Dean Southcott saw his effort go wide of the target. The Marines continued to have the better of the exchanges, and were rewarded in the 44th minute when Shae Saunders shot took a wicked deflection off Lambs defender Neil Kinsman, sending Andy Meeds the wrong way.

The Lambs replied with their next attack with Dean Southcott turning home another great cross from John Wyatt on the right. It remained 1-1 at the interval. Immediately after the restart Lambs defender Matt David headed against the post following a corner kick. The play switched to the other end and it was Lee Salmon who rifled home a shot from the edge of the penalty area to restore the Marines lead.

The Lambs were now getting into their stride and started to control the game, putting the home defence under considerable pressure, forcing a number of corner kicks. The pressure eventually told in the 62nd minute when John Wyatt's shot was parried by Marines' keeper James Satchell, the ball fell to Matt Davis who rammed the ball home into the net.

In the 75 the minute Lambs goalkeeper pulled up with a hamstring injury and could take no further part in the game. Neil Kinsman took over the keeping duties, and was rarely troubled by the home team, as the Lambs were in complete control at this stage of the game.

The visitors took the lead minutes later when striker Andy Sargent produced a great finish with a crisp drive from 18 yards low into the corner of the net. Sargent notched his second minutes later with a close range tap in following another corner kick.

The Marines lost their discipline at this stage, and were reduced to ten men when centre back Raiff Gwinnet was given a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on substitute Dan Pethick close to the touchline.

The game was in stoppage time when Andy Sargent completed his hat- trick with a great strike from 15 yards into the far corner of the net.

This was not a great performance and the Lambs rode their luck in the first half, but they showed character in the second , to come away with a convincing victory.