Carlsberg South Western League
St Blazey 3
Tavistock 0
THE Lambs went into this game having to win it for even the remotest chance of taking the title. They were without the services of the suspended Mark Wall and John Gosling but drafted in Steve Brownlow and Adrian Payne from the P&D side.
They did not have the best of starts, conceding a couple of free kicks in the opening minutes and went behind after just four minutes when Nigel Pugh got on the end of an Ian Gosling far post corner to head powerfully home from close range.
Darren Babb came to Lee Beer?s rescue after the wing-back lost possession on the touchline with a goalmouth clearance. The game settled into a midfield contest for the middle part of the first half before Paul Smith flashed a shot wide of keeper Sid Taylor?s post that had him diving across goal.
A touch of class came from Nathan Blamey as he chested the ball down in defence to send a long ball diagonally to give Paul Adcock a chance. Smith saw another chance go over the bar as the ball bobbled in front of him.
The Lambs did well until 20 minutes before time when two goals in a minute destroyed any chance of getting anything out of the game. Glynn Hooper knew little of getting his 200th goal for the Saints. Gosling?s near post corner kick was punched away by Andy Meeds but it hit Hooper on the back to bounce over the line.
From the resultant kick off the Lambs lost possession and Justin Harrington set up Hooper to hammer home his second from 20 yards.
The Lambs had probably their best spell of the game after that with Lee Doncaster hitting Taylor?s post, Adcock shooting just over from close range and sub Steve Brownlow hitting the side netting.
One cannot see anybody beating the Saints on this showing and they should easily retain the title but the Lambs will not be too despondent as they are still in the driving seat for a second spot finish.
Team: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, James Cole, Nathan Blamey (Capt), John Hadjiyianni (sub Steve Brownlow 73m), Darren Babb, Wayne Crow, Paul Smith, Paul Adcock, Lee Doncaster, Steve Daymond (sub Adrian Payne 73m).
Subs not used Chris Gott, Graeme Kirkup and Steve Shaw.
Fixtures: Tonight (Thursday) P&D Combination Premier Mount Gould v Tavistock at Tothill, kick-off 6.15pm. Saturday, Mainstone Sports v Tavistock away, kick-off 2-30pm; Carlsberg SWL, Falmouth v Tavistock at Bickland Park, kick-off 3pm.