Carlsberg South Western League

Tavistock 0

Holsworthy 3

THERE was a minute?s silence before the game in memory of Eric Burd. His son, Alex, was the Lambs mascot for the day.

Tavistock were without the services of Paul Smith but welcomed back Chris Gott from injury to slot into his midfield spot.

It was the Lambs? chance to put some distance between themselves and title favourites St Blazey and the remainder of those challenging for second place. But the Magpies of Holsworthy had other ideas.

The early warning signs were there for the Lambs as Ian Rowe hit a post for the visitors after ten minutes and Mark Thorne hit the rebound over the crossbar.

Rowe flashed another chance across goal before a weak pass from Mark Wall was intercepted by Kevin Russell on 25 minutes to set up Rowe to shoot past Andy Meeds from 18 yards.

It was another defensive mistake that allowed Rowe to dispossess Lee Beer for him to set up Thorne for the visitors? second after 32 minutes. Darren Babb was then forced to leave the field through injury and in stoppage time of the first half the Lambs found themselves three down when Beer handled in the area for Rowe to get his second.

The Lambs were faced with a mountain to climb and it did not help matters as John Gosling was sent off in the early minutes of the second period.

But the ten men put up a great display and with a little luck could have got back into the game. Luck was not on their side as Simon Parnell headed wide from a corner, Nathan Blamey saw his shot hit the crossbar, keeper Lamerton did well to save at the feet of Wall from the rebound, and Paul Adcock?s swivel in the area saw his shot hit an upright and cleared.

Tavistock: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, James Cole (sub Richard Searle 68m), Nathan Blamey, Mark Wall, Darren Babb (sub Pete Gibson 35m), John Gosling, Chris Gott, Paul Adcock, Lee Doncaster (sub Simon Parnell 60m), Wayne Crow. Sub not used: Graeme Kirkup.

l Fixtures ? Saturday, Carlsberg South Western League away to Newquay, kick-off 3pm. P & D away to Manstow at Erme Valley, kick-off 2.30pm.