Pertemps Devon Premier Cup

third round

Okehampton Argyle 2

Tavistock 4

SIMMONS Park was in very good condition despite the recent bad weather and the ground staff must be congratulated for their efforts in getting the game on.

It was the first time Argyle had been pitted against South Western League Tavistock since Olehampton's traumatic league encounters against them a few years ago.

The Lambs started the better with Darren Babb putting a John Gosling corner just the wrong side of the post and Danny McTighe shooting wide after ten minutes.

The breakthrough came after 20 minutes when, from another corner, the Okehampton defence allowed the ball to bounce in their penalty area and Craig Hodge blasted it into the net.

The Lambs increased their lead on the stroke of half-time. Andy Meed's long kick out allowed McTighe to go on and round Okehampton keeper Richard Bailey and from a wide angle put the ball inside an upright.

To Argyle's credit they stuck to their guns and competed in every department trying to stem wave after wave of Tavistock's attack.

Mortimer and Maddax in attack for Argyle were only bystanders as the side continually lost possession too cheaply in dangerous areas, on which Tavistock capitalised at every opportunity.

Tavistock continued where they left off at half-time and within a minute where three up. A quick attack exposed the Okehampton defence and the early cross into the area found Lee Cansfield unmarked at the far post to pick his spot.

This spurred Argyle into action and in a five-minute spell they had their first shots at goal and pinned Tavistock in their own half with sustained pressure.

It culminated in a left wing cross from King being slotted home by Yip at the far post.

Bailey was the busier of the two keepers, pulling off some outstanding saves to keep Argyle in the match with the midfield and defence at times in disarray. He saved well from a diving Gott header and on three occasions denied Cansfield after the striker got into good scoring positions.

The Lambs gave themselves a three-goal cushion on 75 minutes. McTighe's free kick found Tony Cusack rushing in at the far post to head firmly past Bailey.

In the final 10 minutes Argyle matched their opponents, began to create openings for themselves and made the scoreline a little more respectable with a 25-yard free kick by Cann.

Argyle manager Paul Adams was pleased with the result as his side never got the trouncing some people thought they might get, but he added that if all his players had played to their capability the scoreline would have been much closer.

This week Argyle's first XI are at home again to Bideford in the East Devon Cup third round, kick-off at 2pm.

Tavistock go into the next round and will entertain Stoke Gabriel at Langsford Park on Saturday, November 25 with a 2pm kick-off.

Other Tavistock fixtures — Saturday, Jewson SWL: Tavistock v Penzance, Langsford Park, kick-off 2.30pm. P& D Premier: Tavistock v Bonne Fenetra away kick-off 2.30pm.

Sunday, Ladies Devon League Cup second leg: Tavistock v Brixham, Langsford Park. Tavistock U18s v Prince Rock, Crowndale kick-off, 2pm.