FA Vase

Kidlington 3

Tavistock AFC 0

THE Lambs were knocked out of the FA Vase by Kidlington, a team from The Hellenic League, a tier higher in the FA pyramid structure.

It was always going to be a hard task, but was made even more difficult as once again several changes had to be made to the team because of injury and non availability.

The home team got off to a fast start and Dean Smith in the Lambs' goal made two great saves in the opening five minutes to deny the home team from taking the lead.

The visitors then settled into the game and in the 15th minute Stuart Morgan found some space but his fierce shot went inches wide of the target.

The home team were having the greater share of possession and the Lambs were restricted to counter attacks. In the 18th minute Ian Rook found Jarydd Kelly, but his shot went just to high and skimmed the top of the cross bar.

The home team continued to put the Lambs defence under pressure and it took some resolute defending from the team to keep them at bay. Dean Smith produced another tremendous save in the 23rd minute to deny Fitzmartin from opening the scoring.

However in the 30th minute the home team took a deserved lead when from a corner kick a goalmouth melee followed, and the ball fell to Ben Fitzmartin who rammed it home from five yards. Five minutes later the Lambs had a chance to level the scores when a shot from Tom Hall forced the home keeper to push the ball away for a corner kick. From the corner kick Killington's centre back almost headed the ball into his own net, but the keeper was quick to react and plucked the ball out of the air, when it looked destined for the top corner.

Kidlington started the second half at a tremendous pace and put the Lambs' defence under severe pressure. But the visitors defended magnificently during this onslaught, with Ahern, Follet in great form, along with Moorhead and Southcott. Just as if they had weathered the storm and were getting back into the game, the home team doubled their lead.

In the 58th minute Kidlington doubled their lead when Dean Smith, who was having a terrific game, could only parry a thunderous shot from Lewis Coyle and Lewis Brownhill was on hand to fire home the rebound.

The Lambs continued to fight hard, and never gave up, and Jarydd Kelly shot wide when well placed in the 78th minute. Two minute later Ian Rook had a half chance to open the Lambs account but his header was saved by the home keeper.

The Lambs continued to push men forward in search of a goal and it was always likely that the home team would catch them on the counter attack. This came with five minute remaining when Jack Quinton scored the best goal of the game. A fine swift passing move down the right flank saw Tommy Castle produce an inch perfect cross for Quinton to head home from eight yards.

Kidlington were deserved winners on the day and progress to the next round.

This was another battling performance by the team, but in this competition you must have a full strength team. Injuries and non availability cost them dear. The players that came into the side did not let the team down.

They really did well, but it is always going to be difficult for them to fit into a big match like this. There were some outstanding individual performances from Dean Smith Jamie Ahern and Dan Follett