Tavistock Men?s 1st XI 3
Exeter 2
TAVISTOCK had to win in order to gain promotion and they were in a confident mood after their outstanding victory over Bodmin in their last league game.
The match set off at a good pace with Tavistock dominating the first period and making many penetrations into the Hornet?s D.
Nick Andrews opened the scoring with a deflected shot past the remaining defender and under the keeper?s feet.
Hornets equalised after an unfortunate piece of defensive work, which only inspired Tavistock to turn up the heat. After a selection of penalty corners, which were kept out well by the Hornet?s keeper, Phil Edwards picked up a slipped short corner pass from captain Lethbridge and drove home a powerful shot to take Tavistock back into the lead.
With minutes to spare a controversial penalty corner decision presented Hornets with an opportunity. After a scuffle in the goalmouth they equalised and the prospect of a penalty shoot out loomed.
The game extended into ten minutes of extra time each way. The Tavistock trio of Way, Boot-Handford and Heard had disrupted the Hornet?s defence throughout most of the game. At the critical finishing moments of the first of the extra halves, Mat Way finished off some fine linking work with a well placed shot just out of the reach of the keeper.
Tavistock retained the pressure throughout the second extra period and finished the game the victors.
Man of the match: Damian Heard.
l Congratulations go from the club to Tom Honey, who after a hard fought game, spent a further seven hours playing hockey on Sunday and has been selected to attend an U17 West of England training session later this year.
The final game of the season ? the decider for promotion ? is on April 3 against North Devon.