U18s National Schools football cup
Tavistock College 2
Ivybridge College 2
(after extra time Ivybridge won 5-4 on penalties)
TAVISTOCK were high on confidence after an impressive victory against Liskeard College in the second round.
Unfortunately the game didn't start well for the home side and from the first corner in the opening minute an Ivybridge defender headed onto the crossbar and into the top corner of the net.
As the first half progressed, Tavistock began to get more possession and created a couple of opportunities with Ben Pridham and Callum Thompson causing the Ivybridge defence problems. The half time whistle went with a 1-0 scoreline.
As the second half began Tavistock gained more confidence. The game, however, seemed to turn in the space of a couple of minutes deep into the second half. Firstly Scott Doidge was sent off for a late tackle on the Ivybridge winger and then Ivybridge doubled their lead. It looked a desperate situation with Tavistock two goals down, a player less and only ten minutes left of the game.
However, Tavistock continued to dominate and deservedly equalised with three minutes left when Pridham lobbed the ball over the oncoming Ivybridge goalkeeper into the net.
The game went into extra time and then penalties. Despite successful kicks by Conor Ayres, Nick Cribbett and Jamie Doyle and a superb save by Tavistock keeper James Northey, the home side lost out.
This was a valiant performance against a talented side.