Carlsberg South Western League
Launceston 1
Tavistock 2
THE Lambs got back to winning ways after their first defeat at Holsworthy the previous Saturday (see following report) but left it rather late with two goals in the final six minutes.
It could have been more comfortable had the Lambs taken their chances in the first half. As early as the fourth minute Steve Daymond was put through with just the keeper to beat but shot wide.Then Jeff Babb who got to the by-line and his cross was just missed by Daymond when only a touch would have put the ball in the net.
The second half started brightly for the Lambs with Babb, Daymond and James Cole combining for Lee Beer to head over from close range. These missed chances proved costly as the Clarets finally opened the scoring.
Tavistock were caught on the break as Shaun Turner rounded keeper Andy Meeds on 52 minutes to steer the ball home from a tight angle.
On the hour, Meeds kept the Lambs in the game when they were caught on the break — he made a triple save and the ball was cleared off the line by Nathan Blamey. Meeds was again in action to palm away a fierce drive.
With 15 minutes remaining Craig Hodge replaced Graeme Kirkup and was pushed forward in attack.
The Lambs started the fightback. Beer was fouled just inside the Launceston half on 84 minutes and the referee decided not to play advantage much to the annoyance of the Lambs but it turned out profitable for them. Andy Parnowski's free kick into the area was met by Babb to glance it over the keeper for the leveller.
Three minutes later they took the lead when the Lambs forced two consecutive corners and from the latter Hodge headed home from Blamey's cross.
Too close for comfort was the verdict of the Tavistock faithful but it was back to winning ways.
Team: Andy Meeds, Lee Beer, James Cole, Graeme Kirkup (sub Craig Hodge 75m), Andy Parnowski, Darren Babb, Nathan Blamey, Mark Wall, Jeff Babb, Rob Hawkins, Steve Daymond. Subs not used Steve Shaw and Chris Abbott.
Carlsberg South Western League
Holsworthy 2
Tavistock 1
THE Lambs set off for bogey side Holsworthy missing seven key players due to a variety of reasons.
Tavistock scored after the referee awarded a penalty as Steve Daymond was hauled back by a defender. Andy Parnowski sent Adrian Lamerton in the Holsworthy goal the wrong way.
On 15 minutes the new partnership of Jeff Babb and Steve Daymond were causing alarm bells to ring every time they were sent free and both had opportunities to increase the lead within the space of 60 seconds, both denied by excellent Lamerton heroics.
Jeff Babb got the ball in the opponents' net in the 43rd minute, but the referee ruled it out for an earlier infringement.
Tavistock kicked off for the second period and were in full cry when again Babb and Daymond combined in the 48th minute only to see the latter pull his shot wide of the near post. Eighteen-year-old Daymond was outstanding considering he was playing against more mature opposition. With a little more experience he would surely have completed a hat-trick when, in the 50th minute he did everything right by beating two defenders, and in an attempt to round the keeper, failed to push the ball out of the reach of Lamerton whose sprawling dive and outstretched fingertips denied him a deserved goal.
There should have been another penalty in favour of the Tavistock side but again the rub of the green which has it seems evaded the Lambs so far this season and the incident went unpunished by the referee.
From here on the home side continually bombarded the Tavistock goal.
Strong defence and heroic goalkeeping by Andy Meads kept the Magpies at bay until the final minutes when first Andy Clark netted then Neil Robertson nicked the full three points seconds from the end to rob Tavistock of their unbeaten run.
Tavistock: Andy Meads, Lee Beer, James Cole, Graeme Kirkup, Andy Parnowski, Darren Babb, Tony Cusack, Mark Wall, Jeff Babb, Rob Hawkins, Steve Daymond. Subs not used: Chris Abbot, Steve Bray, Craig Smith.