South West Peninsula Premier League

Tavistock AFC 2

St Blazey 1

THE Lambs were without influential mid fielder Dave Hallett (calf) and captain Jamie Ahern (back), but goal keeper Andy Meeds was declared fit to return, with new signing Tom Barlow making his full debut against bottom club St Blazey.

St Blazey got off to a great start when the Lambs defence was caught napping. A quick throw found Liam Ellis, and his early cross into the near post found Josh Frampton unmarked, and allowed to nip in front of Andy Meeds, to slot the ball home from eight yards.

This stirred the home team into action and Andy Sargent had a fierce drive from 22 yards well saved before the scores were level. John James produced a great diagonal pass that found Johnny Wyatt on the angle of the penalty area, who fired home an unstoppable shot that nestled into the back of the net. The visitor's keeper than pulled off two very good saves to deny the home side taking the lead. First he turned a good strike from Sargent for a corner before repeating the action to deny Dan Pethick from 14yards out.

In the opening minutes of the second half Josh Frampton gave the home side a scare when he headed wide of goal.

The Lambs then upped the tempo. A shot from John James that looked destined for the net was pushed away for a corner, then a Ben Davies cross found Dan Pethick, who swivelled and shot over the bar from 12 yards. Further efforts from Sargent, Pethick and Wyatt failed to produce a goal.

Then it was Meeds turn to produce a fine save, to deny Frampton from giving the visitors the lead. Substitute Ryan Fice was then denied by the angle of upright and cross bar, after a good move with John James. Dan Pethick set up John Wyatt but he shot over.

With ten minutes to go the Lambs finally took a deserved lead when John Wyatt produced a great run down the right flank beating thee defenders, before squaring the ball back to Andy Sargent, who cleverly flicked the ball on to Dan Pethick to rifle home from eight yards.

St Blazey really tried their hardest to get an equaliser, but they were restricted largely to counter attacks. John James who worked tirelessly saw his great header pushed away for a corner.

In the dying minutes home keeper Andy Meeds was called upon to make a couple of really smart saves to see the Lambs home to a deserved victory.

This was a game that the Lambs should have won more convincingly, missing a number of scoring opportunities, to have put the game beyond St Blazey's reach. The team will need to be more clinical in front of goal this week end when fourth placed Saltash visit Langsford Park, in order to take all three points. KO 3pm.

The Reserves are away to Sticker, KO 2.30pm.