Carlsberg South Western League

Tavistock 3

Plymouth Parkway 0

SATURDAY at Langsford Park was a typical late summer day, close and increasingly overcast as the afternoon progressed.

If the players did take a summer break, it certainly didn't show in the first half. Dour would sum up the 45 minutes that failed to get the 130-odd spectators on the edge of their seats.

Apart from the early bookings of Nathan Blamey and Mark Wall and a couple of dazzling runs and crosses from John Gosling, returning after a long injury lay-off, there was little else to smile about as defences stood firm and forwards found difficulty in recognising the three pieces of metalwork shrouded in net, that represent the goals.

The second half was an entirely different affair. The Lambs came out seeking vengeance on a side they find difficult to beat at the best of times. Three minutes into the second half, a midfield raid led to Jeff Babb's shot rebounding off the Plymouth 'keeper, and Gosling following up to give Tavistock a deserved lead.

In the 64th minute, Tavistock doubled their advantage. Paul Smith threaded the ball out to Lee Doncaster whose pin-point cross was met by the head of Jeff Babb, rising above a flat-footed defence, nodded firmly to the left of the despairing Plymouth keeper's outstretched hands.

Parkway huffed and puffed their way through the last quarter without ever really threatening the Lambs goal and the defence stood firm even when their midfield went AWOL for a 15-minute spell.

Steve Brownlow replaced Jeff Babb on 78 minutes and within seconds provided the through-ball for Lee Doncaster to miss-hit his shot and watch it trickle through a mesmerised Parkway defence and cross the goal line for the third.

Two minutes from time, the referee red-carded Plymouth's Wayne Hillson for a late tackle and verbal abuse and Mark Conday for a second bookable offence.

So a fine start to the campaign for Tavistock and with holidays and injury denying Chris Gott, Simon Parnell, John Hajianni and Craig Hodge from the opener, there will be plenty of competition for places in the months ahead.

Tavistock: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, James Cole, Nathan Blamey, Mark Wall, Darren Babb, John Gosling, Paul Smith, Jeff Babb (Steve Brownlow 78mins), Lee Doncaster, Steve Daymond. Subs not used: Steve Shaw, Chris Short, Rob Hawkins.

l Fixtures — tonight (Thursday) Tavistock P&D Premier side open their season at home entertaining Roborough. Kick-off 6.30pm.

On Saturday Tavistock Carlsberg SWL side entertain Launceston. Kick-off 3pm.

Tuesday August 27, Tavistock Carlsberg SWL side entertain Torpoint. Kick-off 7.30pm.