Devon Bowl

Tavistock AFC 1

Torquay United 6

A GOOD crowd, on a cold winter's evening, witnessed an entertaining fixture at Langsford Park. The game was much more evenly contested than the final score line suggests, but the clinical finishing by the professional outfit told in the end.

The Lambs put in a good first half performance and there was little to choose between the sides at half time with the score level at a goal a piece. As was to be expected Torquay had the lion's share of possession, but the home team matched them, playing some attractive football.

Torquay took the lead in the 26th minute when they were awarded a penalty, after Dalley fouled the right winger. Jamie Blatchford in the home goal got his hand to the shot, but could not prevent it from nestling in the corner of the net. Play continued to be even and just before the interval the Lambs deservedly equalised, when Levi Landricombe's free kick, from the right hand side, found Mike Dalley at the far post, he fired the ball into the net from three yards.

The second half was a different story with the visitors scoring twice in the opening ten minutes. However the Lambs tried their up most, to get back in the game, and did force a couple of really good saves from the Torquay keeper.

As the game progressed, the fitness of the professional club began to tell. The Lambs to their credit never gave up, and continued to press forward whenever possible, to try and reduce the arrears. The home team really tired in the last quarter of the game, and the visitors took more and more control. The Lambs conceded three goals in this period, all of them coming from penetrating counter attacks from the visitors. Their accuracy of passing, and the pace down the flanks, split the home defence, and the finishing was top quality giving the home keeper no chance with any of the shots on goal.

To be fair to the home side, the final score line did somewhat flatter the visitors, but no one can argue, they were the deserved winners on the night. There are positives that the Lambs can take from this game. Matt Hawke looked good on his debut for the club, Jamie Blatchford also turned in a good performance, and there was an all round improvement in the team performance.

n This Saturday the Lambs are at home to Wadebridge, kick-off 3pm.