Tavistock Thistles U16s 3

THIS was the last game of the season and Thistles were determined to go out on a win. Both teams were promoted into the top division and have found the top flight hard.

Thistles elected to play with the slope and were quick to press home the advantage. A series of corners failed to produce a goal and with half-time looming a free kick resulted in a goalmouth scramble. The ever resourceful David Ayres forced the ball over the line.

Chaddlewood started the second half with renewed spirit and soon had Thistles on the back foot. A well worked corner allowed the visitors to level the game.

This prompted more effort from Thistles and goals from Ben Sharland and Tom Davies should have sealed the game.

Chaddlewood continued to take the game to Thistles and pulled a goal back. The last few minutes were well contested and when the final whistle blew Thistles came out worthy winners.

This result puts the Thistles U16s midway in the top division having been promoted in the last two seasons. This is the highest league position of any Thistles side for several seasons.

Manager Martin Fowler thanked the team of Tom Davies, Peter Davies, Kyle McLaughlin, Peter Allen, Dave Ayres, Matt Goad, James Hobbs, Lee Hould, Eddie Lowe, Chris Macrae, Patrick Johnson, Corin Russel, Ben Sharland, Will Stuart and Michael Fowler for their impeccable discipline, commitment and dedication. ?They are a credit to the club and the town of Tavistock and have more than proved that teams from outside Plymouth can compete at the top level of football,? he said.

l Through the hard work of the managers and committee members, Tavistock Thistles have achieved the FA Charter Standard Development Club award.

The highly prestigious award is the result of many months of hard work and is in recognition of the facilities, structure and level of professionalism of training the Thistles club provides for youngsters in the local area.

A special mention must go to Don Sharland, vice-chairman of Tavistock Thistles, for the many hours he spent in collating and preparing all the material as part of the preparation submitted to the FA.

Royal Oak U15s

St Jude?s 2

Tavistock Thistles 1

A LACKLUSTRE performance saw Thistles slip to a disappointing defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers St Jude?s.

Both sides attacked from the start with the home side creating the better chances but unable to apply the finishing touch. When Thistles? strikers Darren Phillips and Gary Toms did get through they came across a stubborn home defence who were proving difficult to break down.

Joseph Busuttil went close with a header and a good shot following corners well delivered by Paul Gibbings, but the home goal remained intact.

Midway through the half Thistles took the lead following a superb free kick by Andrew Wallace which was turned in by Phillips who cleverly beat the offside trap.

St Jude?s stuck to their game and were rewarded with an equaliser just before the break.

The second half saw the home side enjoy most of the possession and look more threatening as they grew in confidence. There were some good performances from Thistles, particularly Andrew Wallace and James Meckiff in midfield but it was a strangely subdued performance from a team that has performed well of late.

St Jude?s scored the winner five minutes from time.

DJM Mayflower League U11s

Hooe Rovers Youth 2

Tavistock Thistles 6

TAVISTOCK put themselves under pressure after uncharacteristic mistakes from the kick off resulted in Hooe scoring an early goal.

As a result, the defence team of Bob Finbow, Jack Quinn, Cadan Lowther and Ian Harvey quickly took control of their team-mates and the match.

The ball was played forward from the defence, allowing strikers Taylor McCormack and Ben Langton to attack the Hooe goal. A pass back following this pressure resulted in a clearance that went straight to Ben Pridham who was outside the centre circle and scored with a decisive shot to bring the match level.

This stabilised the team and wingers Niall Murphy and Matt Jefferies began to fire the ball forwards from both flanks. The ensuing play allowed Langton to put Thistles ahead.

Hooe?s resilience began to crumble and Tavistock scored two more goals before half time, the first from McCormack and the second, a great volley from Murphy - his first goal since joining the team.

The second half began with a nicely worked move from Finbow, which Joshua Leeson played forward into the path of Langton to score his second.

Hooe were awarded a penalty, which resulted in their second goal. Substitutions were made with Ross Seward and James Northey coming on for Harvey and Murphy. Fresh legs gave fresh impetus and Thistles finished the match with a well-chased and crossed ball from Langton to McCormack who had a simple tap-in goal.

McCormack and Pridham are now on 19 goals apiece this season with Langton on 24.

The team are now fourth in the league with four games to go and a semi-final in the league cup yet to play.

Man of the match: Ben Langton.