P & D Combination Premier Cup

semi-final

Civil Service Sports & Leisure 0

Tavistock 4

MANAGERS Craig Smith, Chris Abbott along with players Dave Symons, Mark Wall and Steve Bray were away for the weekend and missed the Lambs take a step further than last season as they cruised past CSSL to book their place in the final. It was also sweet revenge from the previous week when they lost by the odd goal in five to their opponents in the league.

Steve Metters stepped into the managerial seat and drafted in keeper Andy Meeds, defender Craig Hodge and midfielder Chris Gott form the Jewson squad to the side.

With a fairly strong breeze at their backs it was Civil who supplied early pressure and skimmed the outside of Meeds' upright on 20 minutes.

The Lambs took control for the remainder of the half to score three times without reply. Pete Gibson sent Steve Daymond down the wing and his low cross fell into the path of Gott to lash the ball in from 20 yards.

Tavistock went close again as Steve Brownlow's overhead kick flashed past a post before they got their second. Gibson's cross into the area put Hawkins in but his shot was blocked and it fell invitingly to Daymond to volley home.

On 40 minutes another good move led to the Lambs third. Steve Shaw's cushion header in defence to Hodge allowed him to send Steve Nicholson down the right to cross low for Gott to control at the near-post and crash it high into the net from close range.

Civil started the second half similar to the first and rattled the woodwork again on 48 minutes. Man of the match Gibson then saw his rasping drive tipped over the bar. Nicholson then cleared off his line from a Civil corner and Meeds brought off a spectacular save to keep a clean sheet.

On 82 minutes the Lambs put the game beyond any doubt as Hawkins got to the by-line to close in on goal, cut inside and send his shot past the keeper for a fine individual goal and Tavistock's fourth.

A great all-round team performance by the Lambs which will keep the interest for the season right to the end.

Team: Andy Meeds, Steve Nicholson, (sub Mark Piper75m),James Cole, Steve Shaw, Craig Hodge, Pete Gibson, Darren Halfyard, Chris Gott, Steve Brownlow (sub Chris Sanders 80m), Rob Hawkins, Steve Daymond (sub Adrian Payne 85m).

Sub Gk Craig Howells.

P & D Comb Premier

Vospers Oak Villa 2

Tavistock 2

TAVISTOCK'S Dave Symons and Graeme Kirkup both challenged for a corner that saw the ball go over the line for the first goal - and the former took the credit in scoring it.

Vospers'Adrian Berry equalised and the Lambs then bombarded the home goal for the whole of the second half, but it was one of those nights when luck was definitely not on their side.

Rob Hawkins shot wide when put through and blasted over from close range. The home defence got in the way of every shot the Lambs put on target then took the lead. Berry's inswinging corner was put onto the bar and Steve Nicholson could not prevent it from staying out.

Controversy reigned later when the ball seemed to have gone over the by-line for a corner or goal kick but the referee waved play on and when the keeper rolled it out thinking it was a goal kick in whipped Hawkins to put it into the net.

Further constant pressure told when with minutes to go the ball fell to Mark Wall on the edge of the area to shoot low through a crowd of players for a deserved leveller.

l Saturday, P & D Comb Premier Elite Command v Tavistock at Bull Point 2.30pm kick-off.

Tuesday May 8, P & Dist Comb Premier Mainstone v Tavistock at Brickfields 6-30pm kick-off.