Carlsberg South Western League

St Blazey 1

Tavistock 0

THE Lambs came away from this game with heads held high after this narrow defeat against the runaway league leaders.

The Saints have had a great season to date and are unbeaten in the league, winning all 16 matches, knocking in high scores against most opposition. The Lambs are one of two teams to hold them to a single-goal victory and welcomed back John Hajiyanni to the club.

Tavistock had the first real chance at goal when Mark Wall hurried Daly into a mistake that let in Jason Carwardine on goal but he failed to find the target then blasted over from a Nathan Blamey free kick.

The Saints had the ball in the net after 35 minutes but it was disallowed for an infringement. Further pressure from the home side for the remainder of the half could not break a strong Lambs defence.

Tavistock's Andy Meeds brought out the save of the game to keep the scores level just three minutes into the second half but was helpless as the Saints got the all important goal after 65 minutes. Dominic Richardson had just come on as a substitute and his first touch was to glance a Band free kick just wide of Meeds.

James Yates replaced Craig Hodge with ten minutes remaining to make his South Western League debut but there were no more chances for either side.

After the game Lambs manager Craig Smith said: 'We did really well against a top quality side and were unfortunate not to spoil their unbeaten record and come away with a point.'

Team: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, James Cole,Rob Hawkins (sub Steve Daymond 75m), Andy Parnowski, Darren Babb, Nathan Blamey (Graeme Kirkup 85m). Mark Wall, Craig Hodge (sub James Yates 82m), John Hajiyanni, Jason Carwardine.

Carlsberg South Western League

St Austell 0

Tavistock 2

THE second journey to mid Cornwall in just four days turned out to be more profitable than the first with the Lambs getting the two goals in the last eleven minutes to seal victory.

James Yates remained on the subs bench and they had to call on the services of Darren Halfyard due to players on suspension and being unavailable.

They almost took the lead in the first seconds when Steve Daymond won the ball on the wing to send it in for Craig Hodge to shoot but keeper Hunkin saved, injuring himself at the same time.

It was one-way traffic for the Lambs for the whole of the half but they could not get the opening goal they deserved. Hodge supplied Daymond with a cushion header on the half-hour for him to stab home but he was adjudged to be offside.

Tavistock remained encamped in the Lilywhites' half after the interval. The home side led a charmed life and almost stole the lead on the hour when they hit the side netting. Hodge had two efforts straight at the keeper and the home side had another chance when Matt Ward beat the offside but blasted high over the bar.

The Lambs found the right touch with eleven minutes to go. Darren Babb on the left crossed for Daymond to allow the ball to drop over his shoulder and volley first time past Hunkin via the far post.

Persistence from Daymond on the stroke of full time led to the Lambs' and his second goal. He hassled the central defenders and stole the ball to go wide and shoot low across Hunkin.

Team: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, James Cole, Andy Parnowski, Darren Babb, Graeme Kirkup, Rob Hawkins (sub Darren Halfyard 70m), Mark Wall, Craig Hodge (James Yates 88m), Chris Gott, Steve Daymond.

Sub not used: Craig Smith.

l Fixtures: Saturday, P&D Comb Premier, Tavistock v Ply Parkway, Langsford Park, kick-off 2pm.

Boxing Day, Carlsberg South Western League, Tavistock v Liskeard, Langsford Park, kick-off 2-30pm.

Saturday December 29, P&D Comb Premier, Tavistock v Mount Gould, Langsford Park, kick-off 2pm.

New Year's Day, Carlsberg South Western League Cup quarter-final, Saltash v Tavistock, away, kick-off 6.30pm.

Saturday January 5, Carlsberg South Western League, Callington v Tavistock, away, kick-off 2.30pm.