Tavistock Ladies 1

Taunton Vale Ladies 5

TAVISTOCK travelled to Taunton with only ten players and knew it was going to be a tough match.

Taunton started out strongly moving the ball well around the pitch. Tavistock's tactic of closely marking players was working well, but a goalmouth scramble allowed Taunton to slot in their first goal.

Tavistock were put under heavy pressure but the close marking by all team members prevented Taunton from increasing the score.

The home side were awarded numerous short corners but the fast running of Sarah Barratt and the good marking by the other defenders prevented any direct strike on goal.

The visitors managed to make some break- through runs up the pitch and from one of these Barratt linked well with Armstrong, who made a cross into the D, which was picked up by Honey who put the ball into the net. This certainly increased Tavistock's confidence.

Shortly afterwards Armstrong was taken down in the Taunton D and Tavistock were awarded a penalty flick. Boulle stepped up to take the flick but was unlucky not to convert it.

The first half finished at 1-1 and Tavistock knew that Taunton would come out strongly and so needed to keep up with their excellent man marking. Tavistock were under pressure again but all the team played with commitment to preserve the score-line.

Unfortunately for the hosts Taunton were awarded a penalty flick and as a result Tavistock went down to nine players. Tavistock's goalkeeper Viggars made an excellent save.

Tavistock re-grouped and dug deep to protect their goal. Following another encounter in Tavistock's D Taunton were awarded another penalty flick, this time the ball just squeezed past Viggar's foot into the net.

Another penalty flick was awarded to Taunton, who again scored from it. With Tavistock back up to ten players they began to press forward with good distribution by Becky Lamb linking with Honey and Firth but they could not convert for the much needed goals.

Taunton's fourth came from a short corner when the strike was unfortunately deflected off a Tavistock stick into the goal.

With minutes to go and Tavistock tiring Taunton got their fifth.

Despite the defeat Tavistock were pleased with the way they played.

• This Saturday Tavistock are at Kelly College with an 11am pushback against Team Bath Buccanners.