Carlsberg South West

Peninsula premier

Plymouth Parkway 4

Tavistock AFC 2

THE Lambs got off to a great start and took the game to their hosts, playing quality possession football. The visitors were unfortunate not to take the lead in the 20th minute when a fierce shot from Dan Pethick appeared to be handled on the goal line but the referee waved play on.

Pethick was not to be denied and in the 25th minute opened the Lambs account. He controlled a fine pass from Dave Hallett turned his marker and fired low into the net giving goalkeeper Ben Elphick no chance.

In the 30th minute the Lambs increased thier lead when Dan Pethick was fouled just outside the penalty area. New signing Jimmy Alexander's rasping drive was beaten out by Elphick, but the midfielder smashed the rebound into the net from the edge of the area.

The visitors continued to out play their hosts and had chances to increase their lead. In the 38th minute Ofori broke down the left flank and hit a superb cross which found Dave Hallett, only to see his first time volley go agonisingly over the cross bar.

Then two minutes before the interval, against the run of play, Parkway scored, what can only be described as a superb opportunist goal by Chris Wright. He was first to react when a volley rebounded off Andy Meeds.

The Lambs had played so well during the first half and deserved to go in at half time with at least a two goal lead.

The second period saw Parkway up the pace, and they started to get more possession. For some reason the visitors changed their approach, playing long balls to their front men, by passing their midfield area, which had caused Parkway so many problems in the first half.

Tavistock should have made it three in the 57th minute when a fine move on the left resulted in the home defence split apart, the cross found Chris Head unmarked in the centre of the six yard area, but unbelievably his shot was scooped over the bar with an open goal at his mercy.

Parkway almost immediately went up the other end and equalised when Wright slammed home from close range.

Then Pethick, who was causing the home defence problems throughout the game, was fouled by former Tavistock player Lance Bailey when he was in on goal. Bailey was shown a red card as he was the last man. However, the resulting free kick just outside the area was wasted.

The visitors continued to play the long ball, even though they had an extra man. This resulted in Parkway taking the upper hand and they were rewarded when Wright completed his hat-trick with a brave diving header.

Things got worse for the Lambs when Parkways substitute Lewis Young had a shot handled by Jamie Ahern, who received a red card, before Andy Sargent fired home the resulting penalty kick.

l This Saturday Tavistock visit Ivybridge Town, kick-off 3pm; the reserves are at home to Nanpean in the League Cup, ko 3pm.