DJM?U18s Cambridge

Tavistock CFC U18s 6

Plymouth Trophyman 0

TAVISTOCK, under their new name as 'Community Football Club,' started their season with a sound, if not impressive, win.

The first half was a fairly even affair with both teams hitting the woodwork and although Tavistock had the better of the attacks their finishing was wayward at times. The opposition played well in defence and their left back continually frustrated the Tavistock attacks, however, eventually Ben Pridham scored the home team's first goal for the only score of the first half.

The second half was a different story and Tavistock controlled the game from start to finish. Tavistock's second goal came from some great work in midfield allowing Robins to latch on to Blatchford's cross field pass to slot the ball past the keeper at his near post. Scragg then beat four defenders and flick the ball over the onrushing keeper to make it 3-0 before Robins latched on to a superb Ayres cross to head the ball past the keeper for it 4-0.

Tavistock could have gone further ahead if Pridham did not miss an easy finish at the near post after some good work from Rodukov on the right. Pridham immediately redeemed himself and latched on to a pass, beat the keeper to the ball by looping the ball into the empty net.

Trophyman did not give up and continued to push whenever possible but with Blatchford, Court, Doidge and debutant and man of the match Matt White in great form at the back their chances were few and far between.

Tavistock's Matt McClung finished with aplomb by placing the ball well in to the keepers left hand corner to complete the 6-0 romp.

n Tavistock U18s next home is on September 19 against Plymstock at Langsford Park. 2pm kick-off.

DJM U16s Ardent

Tavistock Town 2

Keyham Kolts 1

Tavistock Town started the season with a victory against Keyham Kolts at Kelly College with a performance full of determination and effort.

Town started brightly against a physically bigger team and created the better openings in a tight first half. Good chances for Hicks, Quick and Northmore all came and went with indifferent finishes. Keyham rarely threatened as the Town defence held a good line and tackled and intercepted play very well. Hall, Town's stand in goalkeeper for the day, was rarely troubled. At half-time it was 0-0.

In the second half Lane, Northmore, Davidson and Quick controlled the midfield and the balance of play stayed with Tavistock. Hancock hit a clever lob which just cleared the bar and Keyham almost took the lead when Tozer missed a chance.

Tavistock broke down the other end with some fine passing to leave Hicks the chance to finish well and give Tavistock the lead. With ten minutes to go Hicks again broke clear of the defence to seal the game for Town.

Keyham pulled a goal back with two minutes remaining but Town deserved the victory to give them a good start to what will be a testing season in the top DJM division.

DJM Rodney U16s

Horrabridge Rangers U16s 4

Tavistock Thistles U16s 1

THE season kicked off in bright sunshine at Fillace Park, as the two local rivals began their DJM campaigns.

After a fairly scrappy opening the first chance fell to Will Hall, but he blasted the ball over the Horrabridge bar. Solomon Cox caused problems in the Thistles defence with a typically robust and energetic display. As he fought for possession on the edge of the penalty box, the ball ran to Adam Cowan-King who fired the ball into the corner of the net for Horrabridge's first goal. Horrabridge took the initiative and it was no surprise when after Thistles failed to clear a corner Rob coolly placed the ball in the unguarded net. Towards the end of the first half Adam Cowan-King hit a 30 yard shot into the goal only for it to be ruled out for a foul on Thistles' goalkeeper, James Scrivener.

In the second half Horrabridge took control. Adam Cowan-King passed to Kieran Alford, whose perfect cross was met by Bradley Johns' head and Horrabridge were 3-0 up. Kieran Alford made it 4-0, when he ran through the Thistles defence from the halfway line to fire home a powerful shot.

Thistles came back and Will Hall scored a great goal when he curled the ball into the top corner of Horrabridge's net.

It was a good start to the season for Horrabridge. The defence looked solid with Jon Brimble, Josh Bainbridge, Jack Harrison and Jordan Eales. Chris Argles was sprightly in goal and Josh Broughton also played well.

DJM U15s Defiance

Ivybridge Town 2

Horrabridge Rangers 2

PLAYING in their first game in a new division, Horrabridge will wonder how they left Ivybridge with just a point. The first half was completely one way traffic with with Harry Eaton, Taylor Kingham and Max Burgess pulling the strings in the Horrabridge midfield.

Ivybridge were grateful to their goalkeeper who made several fine saves to deny Birch, Rawlinson, Wright and also to the crossbar who denied a superb 30 yard free-kick from Jack Northam. However, it was Ivybridge who took the lead after 20 minutes when Sibley scored from 14 yards with Ivybridge's only attempt in the half. Horrabridge deservedly scored their equaliser when good play between Eaton and Rawlinson resulted in Tom Wright drilling the ball home from 16 yards on his debut.

Ivybridge started the second half well and took the lead when Sibley's cross come shot deceived everyone to fly into the top corner of the goal. Horrabridge started to get their grip back on the game but wayward finishing cost them dearly. With 10 minutes remaining, Burgess, Kingham and Courtney Fry linked up well to release Josh Birch who beat the keeper to the ball and placed it in the empty net. Horrabridge bombarded the Ivybridge goal with shots in the final five minutes but could not find a way past the Goalkeeper. Horrabridge player of the match was Harry Eaton.