Pertemps Devon Premier Cup semi-final

Tavistock 1

Holsworthy 1

(aet. Tavistock won 4-2 on penalties)

TAVISTOCK are the first South Western League side to reach the final since 1995 when Devon and Cornwall Police won the trophy.

The Lambs were without the services of the suspended Andy Parnowski, the unavailable James Cole and Jason Carwardine. They welcomed back Anthony Thirlby from his short spell at Saltash and Steve Nicholson stepped up from the P&D side to slot in at left wing back.

In front of Tavistock's largest crowd of the season, the game got off to a lively start, Craig Hodge went close for the home side and Ian Rowe tried an audacious 30-yard lob that sailed over the bar after eight minutes.

The Magpies deservedly went ahead after 28 minutes. Dean Chidley's high ball to the far post was met by Clark to send it across Andy Meeds to drop inside the post.

The Lambs came right back within a minute with Steve Daymond's snap shot forcing Adrian Lamerton to tip it around a post.

Mark Wall's header took a deflection to go off target before the Lambs were back on level terms just prior to the interval. Nicholson evaded two tackles going into the visitors' area before a rash challenge by Matt Purnell felled him and up stepped Thirlby to send Lamerton the wrong way from the spot.

The Lambs had the better of the second half with neither side able to carve out the opening for the second goal, but the best chance fell to Chris Tomlinson when he headed over from close range.

Into extra time and sub Rob Hawkins set up Hodge, but his header went over the bar in the first minute. It was the turn of Meeds to become the Lambs' hero as he saved a certain goal from Rowe as the striker got clear of the defence.

Tavistock had another chance at the start of the second period but Chris Gott shot wide after Daymond had turned the ball back across goal. Again, Meeds foiled a Holsworthy chance when Clark, who looked well offside, saw the keeper deflect his low drive. It was all nail-biting stuff for the remainder of extra time and so it went to penalties for the second cup game in succession.

Hodge saw his shot saved by Lamerton then Rowe ballooned his effort over the bar. Hawkins' low drive gave Lamerton no chance, to put the Lambs one up. Broad levelled, Jamie Carwardine converted and the scores went the Lambs' way when Clark blasted over the bar.

Nathan Blamey was too quick for the referee and had to take his kick again and it flew high into the net to put the Lambs 3-1 up. Holsworthy got one back, then it fell on the shoulders of Gott to convert his kick to send the Lambs through — he did not disappoint as his effort went just inside the post .

The Lambs will meet the winners of the Upton Athletic/Vospers Oak Villa tie at a venue and date yet to be decided.

Team: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, Steve Nicholson (sub Jaime Carwardine 90m), Graeme Kirkup, Nathan Blamey, Darren Babb, Chris Bott, Mark Wall, Craig Hodge, Anthony Thirlby (sub Rob Hawkins 85m), Steve Daymond.

l Fixtures: Saturday Plymouth and District Combination Premier Tavistock v Vospers Oak Villa away, kick off 2pm.

Sunday, Carlsberg South Western League Tavistock v Torpoint away, note kick-off 1pm.