Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Tavistock 1 Dartmouth 3 THE wheels have finally come off Tavistock?s season. The fans are frustrated, the players? confidence at rock bottom and it has all been compounded by back to back home defeats to Dartmouth and Newton Abbot over the past week. That Tavistock could and should have won these games is beyond question. However, they must come to terms with the fact that at this level they must earn results by doing the basics correctly and that demands a collective effort. Against Dartmouth in mid week the Lambs started brightly and showed a greater desire and passion than of late. They continually knocked on the door but spurned chances. On 15 minutes the visitors capitalised when a needlessly conceded free kick was finely executed to leave Andy Meeds helpless. However, Tavistock were soon on level terms when Lee Coxon picked up a loose ball, flicked it up and volleyed home from 20 yards. This should have been the fillip needed to spur the team on and there did appear to be a better balance with Kinsman prominent in a midfield holding role. A lack of discipline always seems to be bubbling under the surface and from another soft free kick Andy Meeds seemed to lose the flight of the ball in the lights and it sailed into the net from fully 40 yards for a freak goal. In the second half the game was dominated by the home team and they deserved something from the game as they pressed for an equaliser. Alas it was not to be and as a result of a mistake from Ryan Honey at a set piece Dartmouth broke and wrapped up the points in the final minute. Tavistock 2 Newton Abbot Spurs 4 On Saturday the Lambs reshuffled the team which saw the introduction of Matt Allen in defence and Olly Deadman in midfield. The game flowed from end to end with both teams going close. Tavistock opened the scoring when Mark Condy fired home from 12 yards after good work down the left from Lee Ireland. The home side were dominant but showed their Achilles heel when losing position in midfield to allow the visitors to equalise. Tavistock restored their lead early in the second half through the endeavour of Mark Conday. This could have beeen the platform for victory, however the pace dropped and the home team lost their shape, allowing Newton Abbot back into the game and confusion in the Tavistock ranks allowed the equaliser. The game became stretched but looked to be ending in a draw when Tavistock conceded twice in injury time when simple 60 yard balls split open the defence. A 4-2 deficit was not really a fair reflection on the balance of play; however the naivety of the home team was severely punished. The current malaise is endemic throughout the team and Lambs management say it is really becoming a crisis. Tavistock?s next fixture is an away trip to Buckland Athletic on Saturday, October 13.
