Carlsberg South Western League

Tavistock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

St Blazey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

THE Lambs were the last team to defeat the Champions in the league away when they visited Langsford Park back in April 2001, 54 games ago. They were hoping history would repeat itself. They welcomed back Nathan Blamey but were still missing Paul Smith in midfield and Paul Adcock up front.

The Lambs had to survive an opening onslaught from the visitors with Darren Babb clearing off the line in the early stages but they settled and did extremely well to contain the champions to go in at half time on goalless terms.

A similar pattern continued at the start of the second half and Glyn Hooper was guilty of a glaring miss in front of goal on the hour but 5 minutes later the pressure finally told. Andy Meeds brought off a great save to tip the ball around a post for a corner and from the resultant kick Glenn Duff rose the highest to head home from close range.

The Saints put the game beyond the Lambs with 10 minutes remaining with a breakout of defence, Meeds came out to clear but the ball was quickly back in the Lambs half and Dale Band was on hand to slot home.

Team: Andy Meeds, Simon Parnell, Chris Short (sub Nathan Harvey 85m), Nathan Blamey (Capt), Craig Hodge, Darren Babb, Tom Barlow, James Steer, Gary Andrew (sub Steve Daymond 80m, John Hadjiyianni( Richard Searle80m), Will Westlake.

Paul Smith and Eshan Restaghi.

Carlsberg South Western League

Porthleven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Tavistock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

THE long journey down to the far west proved to be a fruitless one for the Lambs with former player Lee Doncaster rubbing salt into the wounds with a hat trick.

They were again without the services of injured Sean Cann and the suspended Paul Adcock.

The home side missed a couple of half chances with Andy Sargeant going close before Tom Barwell's run and shot saw it cannon off the crossbar.

It was all going quite well for the Lambs as half time approached but with 10 minutes remaining Matt Laity found Sargeant in the area and with room to turn he was able to slide the ball under Craig Howells.

Disaster struck 8 minutes later when a quick short corner caught the Lambs napping as Simon Webb's cross went over Howells for Doncaster to head home from a meter out.

It looked like curtains for the Lambs but right on the stroke of half time they gave themselves a glimmer of hope as Paul Smith took advantage of the home side's inability to form a wall and smacked it low into the corner.

That glimmer of hope disappeared within 5 minutes of the second half as Doncaster received Webb's pass to hold off Darren Babb to shoot home and it was game over 5 minutes later when he cut in from the left to curl the ball around Howells.

Tom Barwell clawed one back with 15 minutes left but it was merely a consolation one for the Lambs to lose their third consecutive game.

The Lambs have gone right off the boil as the season draws to a close after a very promising start but a few players have left followed by a series of suspensions and injuries have all taken their toll.

It has been the hardest end of season run in for many a year, with them having to play the top four in the last two and next two weeks. But without doubt they will finish in a mid table position no matter what happens.

Team: Craig Howells, Lee Howells(sub Nathan Harvey 45m), Simon Parnell, Nathan Blamey (Captain), Craig Hodge, Darren Babb,James Steer, Paul Smith, Gary Andrew, John Hadjiyianni, Tom Barwell.

Subs not used Eshan Restaghi, Adrian Payne and Chris Abbott.

Forthcoming fixtures: Tonight (Thrs) Tavistock Girls v Callington 6pm. Saturday: P&D v Vospers Ko 2-30pm (final game of the season).

Sunday: Devon County Sunday League Cup Final. Langsford Park are hosts to the above final between Saltram Club and St Johnstone with an 11am kick off.

Wednesday, April 28: Carlsberg away to Truro ko 7-45pm.