Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Torpoint Athletic 1

Tavistock AFC 2

THE visitors were slow out of the blocks on Friday and as early as the second minute Torpoint should have taken the lead.

A mix up in the Lambs defence between Michael Landricombe and keeper Dean Smith, was seized upon, and Sam Stevens found Lewis Edwards, who smashed his effort from short range against the cross bar.

In the 10th minute Joe Truelove sent Stevens clear who went round keeper Smith, but Mike Landricombe covered and clear his effort off the line.

After this shaky start the Lambs began to get a grip and had good efforts from Martyn Sullivan and Jarryd Kelly flash just wide of the target. However, the home team that took the lead in 21st minute when from a corner kick the ball was not cleared and ended up like a pinball in the visitors penalty, ricocheting of a number of players, before it eventually found Truelove and his shot was deflected into the net off Stevens knee.

This set back really stirred the Lambs into action and for the first time they really started to get their passing game going. John Wyatt had a fierce shot well saved by Matt England in the home goal. Minutes later Jarryd Kelly produced great run and cross into the area but Andy Sargents header went inches wide of the target.

In the 38th minute the Lambs got a deserved equaliser when a flowing move in midfield put John James clear on the right. His great cross into the six yard box was met by Josh Grant racing back towards his own goal, his attempted clearance from inside the five yards nestled in the corner of his own net. With the Lambs now in control of the middle of the park, they had the lions share of possession.

The visitors had chances to take the lead before the interval but England in the home goal was in good form and made smart saves from Sullivan, James and Sargent to keep the scores level.

The Lambs continued to take the game to their hosts in the second half and Matt England was again called into action to prevent the visitors taking the lead. After all his great work in the 60th minute John Wyatt hit a ferocious shot from 25 yards out bounced just in front and over the Torpoint keeper to give the Lambs the lead.

The visitors then had a scare but Dean Smith the Lambs keeper made a brilliant double save to prevent the Tamarsiders equalising. England then made amends, and made three tremendous saves to prevent Kelly, Sargent and Wyatt from increasing the Lambs lead.

In the last ten minute the the home side started to get back in the game. Truelove had an effort well saved by Smith but the back four held firm, to give the Lambs a deserved victory.

n On Saturday the Lambs are home to Bodmin Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round, kick-off 3pm.

Tavistock AFC 3

Royal Marines 1

THE Lambs got off to the worse start possible when Neil Kinsman handled in the penalty area in the first minute. The visitors converted the penalty to go one up. This unsettled the home side and the Marines had a good spell in the opening ten minutes which belied their lowly position in the league.

Tavistock gradually got their game together and in the 11th minute John Wyatt had a good effort deflected for a corner. Michael Landricombe's header from the corner kick went well wide of the target. Wyatt in the thick of the action again, spurned a good chance to equalise when he shot wide of the target.

Tavistock's Dave Hallett and Martyn Sullivan combined well to set Ben Davies on a penetrating past two defenders but his shot lacked power and was easily saved by the goal keeper. Marine's keeper was in action again in the 18th minute when Andy Sargent look almost certain to equalise, but a brilliant save from his first effort, and a deflection of a defender for a corner from the rebound denied him.

The visitors were defending in numbers during this period of pressure from the home side, and after an attack on the home goal, a poor defensive header by Ahearn, fell to the visitors winger, but he shot wide when well placed.

Both Sargent and Sullivan went close at the other end for Tavistock, before Dean Smith made a magnificent reflex save in the 42nd minute, and the shot from the rebound was cleared off the line by Landricombe, to prevent the visitors going two up.

The home team immediately went to the other end and equalised, John Wyatt finished a great move with a ferocious shot from 18 yards that gave the visiting keeper no chance. It was Wyatt that almost gave the Lambs the lead on the stroke of half time when another powerful drive flashed past the far post.

The home team upped the tempo of their passing in the second half which caused the Marines real problems. The Lambs had a penalty appeal turned down when Sargent fell in the area and soon after John James had a terrific effort that was inches wide of the target.

In the 60th minute the crowd witnessed what could be Tavistock's 'goal of the season,' when after some good possession football the ball found Ben Davies, who cut inside from the left back position and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25yards that nestled in the top corner.

Jarryd Kelly then went close with a fine effort, before he increased the Lambs lead when he placed his shot with aplomb wide of the keeper to make it 3-1.

The visitors kept going and Smith was called upon near the end to make a smart save.

Once the team settle down after the disastrous start, they played some attractive football, particularly in the second half.

This was a great team effort by the Lambs. Jarryd Kelly and Andy Sergeant are really beginning to build a partnership while the midfield looks strong with John James, and playmakers Dave Hallett and Martyn Sullivan on top of their game. Ben Davies has been really good at left back, with John Wyatt playing superbly on the wings.