F A Vase 2nd round Tavistock 4 Backwell United 2 aet THE brief love affair with last season?s Vase has turned in to somewhat of a courtship this time round but the engagement, wedding and reception remains to be seen. The Lambs went into this National Cup match on the back of two league defeats but where still confident of producing an upset against a team 2 leagues above them in the pyramid system. They were without both central defenders, Nigel Pugh (injured) and the suspended Mike Arscott. John Morris stepped back from midfield with Sean Cann and Will Stringer making up a middle back three. But it was the visitors who took the lead when they capitalised on an Andy Meeds mistake. In attempting to scoop up a deflected Shane Hancock he gave Darren Brown an easy chance from close range. This was to be Backwell?s only chance and for the next 20 minutes it was all Lambs as they created chance after chance but finally got back on level terms after 25 minutes. Shane Krac?s free kick out wide on the left went out to Glynn Hobbs on the right and cross in for John Gosling to meet it on the half volley. The Lambs continued to create further chances with Stringer and Dave Hallett going close and it was an injustice that they went in on level terms at half time. Backwell started the second half in similar fashion to the first and went into the lead for the second time after just 50 minutes against the run of play when Dave Gould latched onto a half clearance to blast the ball home from fully 30 yards. Mark Conday saw keeper Rob Fost save his shot on the hour and 3 minutes later the Lambs were back on level terms for the second time. Cann and Krac combined for the latter to send in a cross that took a headed deflection for Stringer to ghost in at the far post to head powerfully home. Meeds had to be alert moments later when he tipped a low shot around a post before Hallett shot lacked power after good work from Cann and Gosling. The Lambs continued to have the majority of possession and created more chances with the Backwell goal leading a charmed life and they had to settle for extra time. The Lambs finally took the lead in the tie for the first time with a minute left in the first half of extra time. Conday had missed a golden chance seconds earlier but he redeemed himself when Hobbs put him in to round the keeper to make it 3-2. It was a tense and nervous second period but the Lambs held firm and Hobbs put the icing on the cake with literally the last kick of the game to score from close range after some tricky footwork for a thoroughly deserved victory. The Lambs now face a long haul to Deal in Kent to take on Deal Town on Saturday, December 10 in the third round with a 3pm kick off. Forthcoming fixtures It is Cup action again this Saturday when the Lambs take on South Devon Premier League side Brixham Villa in the Devon Premier Cup at Langsford Park with a 2-30pm kick off. Plymouth & West Devon Combination League Senior Division Tavistock away to Old Suttonians at Staddiscombe 7 with a 2-15pm kick off.
