North Devon v Tavistock A
THE first warm up game of the new season saw Tavistock A travel the long and winding road to Barnstaple. It was a pleasure to be able to welcome some of the younger members of the club, James Tosdevin and Pete Robson, to the team and see some older faces back.
With last minute availability problems for a goal keeper, Nick Aveyard stepped up to the mark to enable the team to play what was always going to be a difficult game, with North Devon playing in a higher league.
Tavistock seemed to settle early to the new self pass rule opening up an early chance for Edwards from the top of the D only to see it put wide. Similar chances fell to Jake Doney and Steve Copland fed by Dave Richards, with Doney lobbing the keeper for his first of the year. However, North Devon were already ahead and Tavistock made to chase the game.
Losing Honey from mid field, through injury, Mark Wheatley entered the game, in defence with Roger Costello, with a solid all round performance. This left no substitute in a fast moving game and saw legs tire enabling North Devon to stretch their lead further.
The return of Jason Reid from Canada saw the old short corner squad back together, through which Lethbridge was able to start his account with a clinical finish.
Overall the team were stretched but some good positive short passing play showed the capability of this new squad and all were looking forward to the coming league season.
This week home at Kelly College 4.30pm to Caradon.