Tavistock 1st 4 North Devon 2 TAVISTOCK men's hockey team played host to a strong side, having drawn with them on their first encounter. The game started well for Tavistock who were looking the better side from the start. Honey and McDougal held the middle of the park strongly and distributed the ball well to the wings of Cooley and Alford who threatened the North Devon defence. Chances came to Tavistock through a short corner, but this was not made the most of and was cleared by the North Devon defence. But Tavistock soon opened up the scoring through a skilful run into the D by Rose who cleverly scooped the ball over the keeper and into the goal, giving them a well deserved lead. A second goal was soon to follow from Tavistock who again attacked the North Devon D with conviction. It led to Cooley skilfully turning a player and powering his shot into the bottom corner, giving the home side a 2-0 lead. Further chances came to Tavistock who were peppering the goal with shots from all angles but were not enough to truly challenge the visitors' keeper. The second half saw Tavistock control the game from the front with great attacking pieces coming from Vinson and Rose which ripped apart the North Devon defence. But neither had the finishing touches to seal the game and the victory. A breakthrough was soon to come from a nicely played through ball from Cooley which set free Rose to attack the top of the D and smash home his second of the match and increase Tavistock's lead to 3-0. Tavistock were now feeling the victory getting closer and confidence started to ooze through the midfield and strikers who were tormenting the North Devon defence with sublime skill and speed. This led to another goal from Tavistock. Honey received a pass at the top of the D and took it wide of the defender where he powered a shot into the top right corner of the goal. Tavistock then sat back to let North Devon come at them. A North Devon goal was soon to come as a result of this sloppiness. Further pressure came from the North Devon attack who had gained confidence, but the Tavistock defence were working well and Manley was solid with his tackling and distribution. But it was not enough and North Devon scored another in the last minute, finishing the game at 4-2. This victory increases the distance from Tavistock's current position of second and Ashmoor who lay below them and keeps the pressure on the top of the league a point ahead. Man of the match: Jonathan Manley. This week Tavistock play away to Yeovil.
