Carlsberg South Western League Porthleven 3 Tavistock 0 THE long trip to the far west of Cornwall turned out to be fruitless for the Lambs for this pre-Christmas clash. Ben Rushell took over from the injured Lee Ireland for Tavistock with John Hajiyianni replacing Shane Krac in midfield. It was a bright start from the Lambs with Glynn Hobbs rattling the home side's crossbar in the first minute and four minutes later he saw stand in keeper Steve De'ath come quickly off his line to parry away his fierce shot. It was the home side that took the lead on 18 minutes against the run of play with a quick break out of defence which saw Porthleven's Tom Lambourne's shot deflect off Mike Arscott and over a helpless Andy Meeds. Will Stringer and Jimmy Steer went close before Port went further ahead on 32 minutes. Porthleven's Jamie Thirkle's corner kick caught Meeds out of position as he helped the ball into the net. The Lambs had further chances before the half ended with Stringer and Ryan Honey going close but it was all over as a contest five minutes into the second half when the Fishermen got their third. The sheer desire to win the ball in the Lambs area saw Port's Shane Richards blast the ball high in to the Tavistock net. The Fishermens' Nigel Thwaites could have embarrassed the visitors even further just after the hour but he mis-kicked right in front of goal. Honey shot over for the Lambs and sub Dan Stidwell did likewise for the home side. Tavistock 1 Launceston 1 TAVISTOCK managers Ian Southcott and Craig Smith rang the changes for this Boxing Day derby. In came Nigel Pugh, former Lambs defender James Cole and Dave Hallett guesting from Bere Alston replacing Steve Daly, John Hajiyianni and Ben Rushell with Chris Menhenick and Shane Krac again on the bench. Hallet had the first chance for the Lambs in the opening minutes after Glynn Hobbs set him up but he possibly took a touch on the ball instead if hitting it first time and the chance went wide. They found themselves a goal behind after just eight minutes when, from a throw in, Launceston's Charlie Blair latched onto the ball to fire past Andy Meeds. The Lambs now came more into the game with Cole's effort scrambled away but the visitors had a good chance on 35 minutes when Rob Blake blasted over. Tavistock got back on level terms just before half-time. A through ball saw Hobbs give chase as the ball headed for the corner of the penalty area; Launceston keeper Paul Hider came off his line and in a 50/50 ball it was Hobbs who came off the better to send the ball into the net from out wide. The second half was an even affair as both sides strove to get a second goal. Tavistock's Ryan Honey had two strikes on the hour and it looked curtains for the Lambs with 10 minutes to go as substitute and former Lambs striker Lee Doncaster raced away in on goal — but Meeds blocked his shot. On the stroke of full time Hobbs, for the Lambs, saw his shot come back off the upright. l Forthcoming fixtures: Saturday, January 6, in the Carlsberg South Western League away to Torpoint, kick off 2.30pm; Saturday, January 6; East Cornwall League Cup away to Nanpean, ko. 2.30pm.
