Tavistock Ladies seconds 19

Plymouth University thirds 1

FINDING a break in the recent bad weather, Tavistock Ladies' seconds looked to improve on last week's disappointing defeat to local rivals Okehampton.

The opening exchanges were reminiscent of Tavistock's post-Christmas form, turning over possession on numerous occasions, with loose passing and sloppy defence keeping Plymouth University in the match.

However, Tavistock were settled by their first goal, and started to look to pass the ball around, playing some fast, fluid hockey.

Georgie Killingbeck, welcomed back into midfield, lifted the tempo, moving the ball at pace, creating time and space for the forward line.

Gill Court and Ellie Evans worked hard on the wings, crossing the ball strongly into the D. Becca Martin was solid in midfield, attacking the Plymouth University forwards and looking to work the ball into scoring areas.

A loose piece of defending allowed Plymouth University to slide the ball through four defenders and give them a whiff of encouragement, dragging the score back to 3-1.

That was as close as they got, however, as Passmore and Horton closed ranks and quickly and efficiently shut down any more attacks that ventured into the Tavistock half.

Keeper Genny Greensted was solid, marshalling the defence, and ensuring Tavistock kept things tight.

Jenny Pollock had a busy game, supporting Killingbeck and Martin in midfield, passing the ball quickly and making the Plymouth University defence work extra hard trying to shut down Tavistock.

Tavistock's forward line of Firth, Smallacombe, Eadie and Balm had a field day, creating chances at will, and punishing every mistake by the University midfield and defence.

There was a constant threat to the Plymouth Uni goalkeeper any time the ball came into the visitors' half, and numerous saves were not enough to keep the score from escalating, as the Tavistock attack were quick to capitalise on any rebound.

The Tavistock set pieces were working as they should, with a number of goals being scored from short corners.

This was a good win for Tavistock Ladies' Seconds, putting the memory of their first league defeat the week before behind them.

Goal scorers for Tavistock were: Smallacombe (6), Firth (5), Eadie (5), Martin (1), Pollock (1), Evans (1).