Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Peninsula league Tavistock 0 Saltash 8 TAVISTOCK supporters would be forgiven for thinking their team are something of an enigma within a conundrum after this tame surrender against a workmanlike and well organised Saltash following closely on the heels of their high octane win over Liskeard three days earlier. Saltash were quicker to the ball in all areas of the pitch making light of the sub-tropical conditions; Tavistock by contrast looked leaden footed and unable to play any sort of possession football. Long before the final whistle the home team appeared a demoralised and well beaten team. This was never a game for the purist and in a somewhat mediocre first half Tavistock found it hard to settle on the ball and were reduced to occasional forays on the break. In contrast Saltash looked threatening thoughout and only stout defending by Nigel Pugh kept the game even. Eventually however the defence was breached and the visitors took the lead with a deflected shot through a crowd of players leaving Rowe helpless. Saltash were now rampant and their lead was doubled, though the effort appeared to be offside. Tavistock made changes at half time in personnel and system but the second half continued as the first ended with the home team feeding off scraps. From a corner Saltash got a soft third with the Tavistock defence static. The floodgates opened and Saltash appeared to score at will with Rowe in the Tavistock goal seemingly part of a coconut shy at the fairground. The home team looked dead on their feet and Saltash were remorseless with the final score a humiliating 8-0. That this was a huge disappointment is an understatement said the management. This has been a tough week for the team and the effort of Wednesday night had taken its toll on the players, but while this was a demoralising result, on a positive note the management would probably, in the circumstances, have taken two draws against teams who finished in the top four of the South Western League last year, so three points might well be a bonus. Tavistock 2 Liskeard 1 TAVISTOCK went into this midweek game against championship contenders Liskeard missing six regulars through suspension. That they came out winners is a testament to the endeavour, fortitude and resilience shown by the players on the night. The Lambs were pleased to see the return of the industrious Mark Conday whose quality has been missed and also a long term absentee in Sean Cann, who came in to fill the void in midfield. It was the home side who started the brighter, taking the game to the visitors and Conday put the ball into the Liskeard net only to have the goal ruled out for offside. The back four for Tavistock looked resolute and strong with Sean Cann adding strength and verve to the midfield with his physical presence; while not really threatening, Tavistock appeared in control of the game. It took 25 minutes before Liskeard had their first attempt on goal, but they were now starting to probe with some searching balls behind Tavistock?s back four. First a Liskeard forward shot over when clean through, then they were unfortunate not to take the lead when a curling shot from the edge of the box came back off the cross bar with Rowe In the Lambs? goal well beaten. To their credit Tavistock came back on the break and Lee Coxon beat his marker but saw his shot touched on to the crossbar by the visitors? keeper. This brought the half to a close with honours just about even. Tavistock started the second half strongly, exposing the Liskeard defence and it was no real surprise when Mark Conday fired home a left foot shot with the visitors? defence at sixes and sevens. Minutes later, to the home fans? delight it was 2-0. Sean Cann won a 50-50 ball 30 yards from goal before unleashing a stunning shot which went into the net via the angle of the post and crossbar - a goal fit to win any game. The Lambs were now rampant and could have added a third when an exquisite pass from Lee Coxon put Neil Kinsman through, however hesitation allowed a defender to thwart the danger. Liskeard appeared to be losing their composure and two bad challenges in quick succession went unpunished by the referee. Another challenge perpetrated a skirmish which saw Sean Cann go off after being shown a red card. Tavistock now had their backs against the wall but showed a great strength of character and work ethic to stem the onslaught from the visitors. Living dangerously at times a combination of wasteful finishing, good defending and sound goalkeeping kept Liskeard at bay until Mike Arscott pushed a Liskeard forward to concede a penalty, which was subsequently scored. Tavistock regrouped and managed to see out the rest of the game for a deserved victory. The whole team showed what can be achieved by working for one another and manager Ian Southcott was a happy man . l Tavistock?s next home fixture is against top of the table Plymouth Parkway at Langsford Park on Saturday followed a week later with a home draw in the FA Vase against Dorset side Gillingham.