Carlsberg South-Western League

Tavistock 6

St Austell 0

MANAGERS Craig Smith and Chris Abbot have put together a fine squad of players for the season ahead and the result of their first home game suggests goals, goals and more goals.

A young and inexperienced Saints were literally hit for six and it could have been many more as they were put to the sword by what has to be the best footballing squad seen at Langsford Park for decades.

The game was only 90 seconds old when Jeff Babb, weaving his magical skills in the area, was brought down by Paul Quinn. Up stepped Lee Cansfield to beat Paul Collins in the Cornish goal from the resulting spot kick.

On 14 minutes, James Cole ran the left wing and crossed to Babb who slotted home only to be adjudged narrowly offside. In the 25th minute it was Cole once more on the boil, his sweet shot rebounding off an upright to Cansfield whose first-time shot was cleared off the line to the awaiting John Gosling to fire home from just inside the penalty area.

The Saints' only excursions into the Tavistock half were long balls, safely gathered by a well-marshalled defence. In the 39th minute, skipper James Blamey picked up a loose ball and from 35 yards his bullet-like shot struck an upright. Two minutes later Cole ran 30 yards and finding himself with only the Saint's keeper to beat fired well over.

The Lambs second half pressure was beginning to tell on a tiring Saints although their best opportunity came in the 53rd minute, when Ryan Bate attempted to chip Andy Meeds in the Tavistock goal.

The Lamb's keeper proved why he is the best in the league by getting back expertly to tip the goal-bound shot over the crossbar.

The combination of Mark Wall and Cole in the 59th minute set up Jeff Babb to strike home from 20 yards. New signing Tony Thirlby from Millbrook replaced Tony Cusack on 65 minutes and it was his pass in the 72nd minute that led to another Cole surge down the left. His pinpoint cross found the head of 'man of the match' John Gosling, whose bullet header bulged the net for his second of the game.

Graeme Kirkup and Steve Daymond left the bench to replace Lee Beer and Cansfield for the last quarter hour and Daymond immediately stepped up the impetus. He was involved in a three-man move that was to lead to the goal of the game.

Collecting a poor Saints' clearance, captain Nathan Blamey unleashed an unstoppable shot from 42 yards.

Three minutes from the final whistle, another Cole run down the left saw his accurate pass reach Daymond, whose shot was to ricochet off the Saints defence, falling to the ever alert Jeff Babb, who made no mistake in claiming his second of the game.

It is early days in a new season at Langsford Park. However, there is going to be something for everyone over the weeks ahead and if you like your football of an attacking nature, competitive and goals galore, then as they say in the best of reporting circles: 'Be there'.

Line-up: Andy Meeds, John Gosling, James Cole, Lee Beer (Graeme Kirkup 75mins), Craig Hodge, Andy Parnowski, Nathan Blamey (capt), Mark Wall, Jeff Babb, Lee Cansfield (Steve Daymond 75mins), Tony Cusack (Tony Thirlby 65mins). Sub not used Darren Babb.

l On Saturday Tavistock travel to meet Liskeard, kick-off 3pm and on Tuesday they entertain Wadebridge, kick-off 6.30pm.

Underhill Engineering Premier P&D Combination League

Prince Rock 2

Tavistock 2

WITH players unavailable due to holidays, assistant manager Steve Bray took up the gloves for the first match of the season and equipped himself well.

Going two goals behind, manager Peter Gibson was forced to ring the changes and disposed of the sweeper system reverting to 4-4-2, which not only assisted in bringing the teams level, but with a little more luck and sharper finishing would have seen the Lambs return home with all three points.

The Rockies went two goals up courtesy of Scott and Glanfield, but substitute James Yates brought the Lambs back into the game with Nick Monk snapping a well-deserved equaliser.

l Today (Thursday) the side play hosts to Plymouth Civil Service at Langsford Park, kick-off 6.30pm. On Saturday they entertain Plymouth CS Sports and Leisure, kick off 2.30pm and on Tuesday they meet Plympton at Millbay Park, kick-off 6.30pm.