DJM Rodney U16s

Woolwell Juniors U16s 3

Tavistock Thistles U16s 2

THISTLES were under pressure from the first whistle, as Woolwell swept forward playing the expansive, passing brand of football that has taken them to the top of the league.

However, the Tavistock defence of Sam Newton, Louis Wilson, Jack Quinn and Cadan Lowther were equal to the challenge and battled hard to win every ball and, when the defence was breached, keeper Tom Parry was on hand to pounce on any loose ball.

The Thistle midfield — Jay Lambert, Jonny Hake and Ryan Clark — worked hard to apply pressure to their Woolwell opposite numbers, and wide men Ian Harvey and Sam Walker looked to support lone striker Josh Vernon in the counter attack. This tactic bore fruit inside the last five minutes of the first half, when the pace of Vernon was unleashed and he sprinted clear of the Woolwell defence, before rounding the keeper, to give Thistles the lead. Unfortunately, Tavistock were unable to take this lead into the break as, in the dying seconds of the half, strong pressure from a Woolwell corner resulted in a defensive error and an unfortunate own goal. Woolwell started the second half strongly and they were quickly rewarded, as the Thistles midfield, now including substitute Ben O'Neill, was slow to press a long range shot, which Parry couldn't prevent from going in.

Having taken the lead, confidence surged through the Woolwell players as they sought to turn their possession into goals, and the third goal duly arrived as another long shot dipped sharp and late underneath the crossbar. However, Thistles never say die team spirit came to the fore and, as Woolwell took their foot off the gas, Tavistock pressed forward. With less than 10 minutes to play, Thistles got a fortunate break when an innocuous shot from Hake was fumbled by the Woolwell keeper and trickled over the line. Woolwell were now hanging on and feeling the pressure as Thistles threw players forward in search of a late equaliser, but all to no avail.