Duchy League Division 2 Cup

Mary Tavy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Tywardreath RBL . . . . . . . . . . . 1

MARY Tavy have goalkeeper Tony Rawlings to thank for their first leg lead in this semi final tie with two outstanding penalty saves, alternatively diving to his left and then to his right to thwart any hopes of a shock result.

Tavy started very lively in the opening few minutes with Mark Piper pipping the keeper to a through ball and diverting it past and into the net.

They then threatened to overrun RBL with several chances to increase their lead.

Lee Bartlett eventually put Tavy two up, drifting in from the left his goalbound strike, although slightly deflecting off the defender soared past the RBL keeper.

After the break it was Tywardreath who, with the wind, created chances and a fine inswinging corner saw Rawlings at his best to one-handedly turn it over the bar. Then came the first of two penalty incidents with a Tavy defender punished for allegedly holding a player back, the referee eventually decided to point to the spot.

Step in Rawlings to save valiantly with his feet to keep the score temporarily at 2-0.

Tywardreath to their credit persisted and when Rawlings' long kick upfield was headed straight back the ball was not decisively cleared and Thomas nipped in to reduce the arrears.

Time for Tavy to up the pace and this thankfully was done when Salisbury chested a corner down and slotted home and Ben Stephens followed with what was nigh on an identical effort to make it 4-1.

Rawlings was called back into action when a further penalty was given after a scramble but this time the culprit was failed to be pointed out as the bewildered Tavy defence looked at each other in both exasperation and confusion at the decision.

Justice however was done when Rawlings this time dived to his right to parry out and give the defence time to clear their lines.

Rawlings unsuprisingly was nominated man of the match for his efforts.

Line up: T Rawlings, A Pedrick, N John, S Pocknell, M Dudley, L Bartlett, M Piper, J Philpotts, B Stephens,J Coole,M Salisbury. Subs: D Reeves, G Patton, I Hunter, S James.