Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier
Tavistock AFC 2
Plymouth Parkway 6
TAVISTOCK will want to get this result out of their system as soon as possible. This was undoubtedly the worst performance seen at Langsford Park by a Tavistock team for a very long time. What should have been a close encounter, with two teams in the frame for honours this season, turned out to be a one-sided affair.
The Lambs turned in a performance that was lack-lustre, lacked commitment and effort, which resulted in a comfortable victory for the visitors.
Parkway took the lead in the seventh minute, when the Lambs were left appealing for a handball as Sargent scored from four yards. The Lambs were in a similar situation in the 25th minute when Chris Wright raced clear and fired the ball past the advancing Meeds.
Things got even worse for the home team in the 37th minute when Jimmy Steer lost possession on the edge of the penalty area, for Wright to clinically shoot past Meeds. On the stroke of half-time a Morrison-Hill free-kick found Sargent completely unmarked in the six yard box, who powered a header into the net.
The Lambs came out in the second half with a little more purpose, but they were still not passing the ball with their usual accuracy and tempo.
The home side were exposed again by playing the offside trap, when Sargent was set free to coolly lob Meeds and complete his hat-trick.
The Lambs did put some pressure on the visitors' goal for a short period and in a goalmouth skirmish Parkway's Ian Evans took a knock which forced him to be replaced by outfield player Gareth Picknell; within minutes he was picking the ball out of the net when substitute Mike Southgate tapped the ball home.
Parkway immediately hit back with Ross Saint scoring after once again beating the offside trap.
Glyn Hobbs, who had a quiet afternoon, scored with a great strike from 20 yards to give the substitute goalkeeper no chance. This completed the scoring with the home team suffering an embarrassing defeat.
Credit must be given to Parkway as they achieved where the Lambs failed, they pressured the ball throughout, gave the home side no time on the ball, and passed the ball with accuracy, with effective movement off the ball.
Tavistock cannot afford another performance like this again this season, if they are to maintain their challenge for honours.
No doubt the manager will be having some harsh words to say at training this week, and on Saturday, when Witheridge are the visitors to Langsford Park, will be the test to see if the team can get back to their high tempo, free flowing passing game that has been so successful this season.
• This Saturday the Lambs are home to Witheridge, kick-off 3pm.