Horsham U18 League Tavistock Thistles 3 St Cleer 2 IT has taken two and a half years for this group of players to record a victory since they first played together at the U15 level. They also now have given themselves a chance to finish off the bottom for the first time ever but there is still a lot of work to do. With the teams sponsors, The Plymouth Chiropractic Clinic, handing over a large cheque it was a good time to record the first victory. With this being the only game played this Sunday due to a good draining pitch and some hard work by the coaches Thistles took the game to St Cleer and had pretty much all the chances in the first half. Simon Kelly wasted several chances in the first half by not hitting the target from close in free kicks and the Thistles midfield did not really get to grips with things. Then after around 20 minutes Allum in the Thistles goal brought down a St Cleer forward in the box and was lucky not to get sent off. St Cleer took the lead from the resulting penalty. Thistles, although having most of the play, still were not able to put a foot on the ball and rarely gained control of the game in the first half. During the break it was decided Thistles would changed their formation which bore almost instant results with Simon Kelly finding his shooting boots and lashing a great shot into the net from just outside the box to equal up the scoreline. Thistles continued to press forward and looked dangerous from corners which were fed in by Tom Kelly. Eventually Chris Giles headed home and put Thistles into the lead. This seemed to spur on the St Cleer team who then pushed on and began to play the better football. With Lee conceding a free kick just outside the box with a silly challenge St Cleer fired in a low shot which skidded under the keeper to even up the score.. With St Cleer still revelling in their goal Thistles kicked off and the ball was laid back to Simon Kelly who, from fully 60 yards, smashed the ball over the St Cleer keeper but under the cross bar for a truly remarkable goal. Thistles did not play well and St Cleer never gave up and to their credit were gracious in defeat — as Thistles usually are. Never did a group deserve a victory more than this Thistles team, which included a keeper playing with badly swollen fingers and in great pain, Mike Blagdon played with a broken finger, Simon Kelly is having treatment for a bad back and Tom Kelly with a swollen ankle all playing through the pain barrier. This result will not go to their heads as the coaches know more work is required to keep off of the bottom of the table at the end of the season. Next week Thistles play Plymouth Trophyman in the cup. l Pictured on page one are players: Alan Kirby, Dean Dyer, Paul Redbourne, Adam Scanlon, Michael Blagdon, Chris Giles, Daniel Lee, Simon Kelly, Tom Kelly, Robert Allum, Steven Cole, Marc Harris, Ryan Greep, Andrew Cooper. Other players not present are Tom Rogers, Michael Brown, Adam Roberts, Matthew Roberts, Matthew Rich, Anthony Coles. In the orange top on the left is Martin Harris while the other assistant coach is Mark Clark. Also pictured from the sponsors are Tracey and Wayne Whittingham and Wayne's daughter Bonnie.
