Throgmorton League Cup semi-final

Bodmin Town 1

Tavistock AFC 0

THE Lambs failed to reach the final of the cup, when they went down by a single goal to Bodmin. The game was as expected — a close contest between two of the top teams in the league.

The game got off to a fast start with both sides playing attractive football. It was the Lambs that created the first scoring opportunity when in the fifth minute a great ball from Shane Krac released Adam Carter, but he dragged his shot wide of the target with only Miller in the Bodmin goal to beat.

Minutes later Miller pulled of a fine save to deny Carter.

Then in the 20th minute Bodmin took the lead when a corner kick had been partially cleared, only to find Steve Colwell some 22 yards from goal, his powerful shot found the top corner of the net, giving Andy Meeds no chance. The game continued at a frenetic pace but with both sides probing to open up the tight defences, without success so it remained 1-0 at the interval.

Immediately after the restart Bodmin had a chance to increase their lead but they were denied by Andy Meeds. From this moment on, it was the Lambs who had the upper hand, and really took the game to their opponents.

Time after time they attacked the Bodmin defence, but when they managed to break down the opposition defence they failed to turn their possession into goals.

Miller in the Bodmin goal was busy, and it was mainly down to his performance, and the resolute defending of the Bodmin back four, that enabled them to keep the Lambs at bay. Tavistock forced corner after corner, but somehow Bodmin managed to clear their lines. A header from Will Stringer hit the bar, Miller saved well from Carter and Krac. It was all one way traffic in the last quarter of the game, with the Bodmin goal under siege, but the Lambs failed to score.

Sometimes you do not get what you deserve in the game of football, and this was a classic example as Tavistock on the night deserved to get the right result. Their effort could not be questioned, that little bit of luck, or bounce of the ball, that you need, just did not happen.

Bodmin and their supporters were much relieved when the referee blew the final whistle

Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Tavistock AFC 0

Saltash United 1

THE Lambs started well and created chances but the finishing that cost them so dearly on the Monday was prevalent again, as they should have been at least two goals up in the first 30 minutes.

Their frustration led, in the 35th minute, to Mark Conday being sent off for retaliation. The scores remained level at the interval. Even with ten men the Lambs had the greater share of possession, and created several chances to score.

Saltash were dangerous on the counter attack, so it always looked like one goal would settle it.

With Lambs committing more and more men forward to get the win they desperately needed to maintain any realistic chance of finishing in second place, they paid the ultimate penalty in the last minute of the game when Saltash broke away to score the winner.

Launceston 4

Tavistock AFC 2

THE Lambs completed a miserable week when they lost this local derby to a side that had played a game the previous day.

Great credit must go to Launceston for their performance, which showed character, enthusiasm, and bounds of energy. A below strength Lambs line up just did not get out of first gear, and paid the penalty for a lack lustre performance.

Launceston took the lead with a deft finish which gave Meeds no chance. Ten minutes later they increased their lead when their left winger cut inside the visitors full back and beat Meeds at his near post from 18 yards. The Lambs got a goal back before the interval when Carter scored from close range.

The second half saw little improvement in the Lambs dismal first half performance. It was no surprise when the Clarets increased their lead mid way through the half. A long punt up the field saw their centre forward break free, Meeds seem to hesitate as to whether to come or stay, and when he decided to come for the ball outside the box, the centre forward lobbed the ball over him and into the net.

The Clarets increased their lead and made the game safe with ten minutes to go; the Lambs did reduce the arrears in the 86th minute but it was all to no avail.