FA Carlsberg Vase

Tavistock AFC 3

Winterbourne United 2

THE Lambs are in the second round draw of the F A Vase after defeating Western League Winterbourne by the odd goal in five.

The home team donned their new kit, of pink and chocolate brown, the original colours of club when it was formed in 1888, 125 years ago.

It was the visitors that had the better of the opening 20 minute, as the Lambs struggled to get their passing game going.

Winterbourne had a lot of possession in this period but the home defence with Jamie Ahern and Joe Smith in fine form, kept things under control and they created very little in front of goal. Winterbourne deservedly took the lead in the 26the minute when the visitors were awarded a free kick outside the penalty area. Karl Rendles shot took a deflection off the defensive wall, to wrong foot Dean Smith in the home goal and the ball nestled in the far corner of the net.

This setback stirred the Lambs into action as their passing game began to flow. Within five minutes the home team equalised when Johnny Wyatt made a fine run down the wing, his inch perfect pass found Dan Pethick, who calmly slotted the ball home from eight yards.

The game was now flowing from end to end with both teams playing good football, providing great entertainment for the crowd. It was the Lambs that looked the more likely to take the lead, and almost did so in the 43rd minute. Jarryd Kelly made a fine run through the middle beating two defenders before unleashing a fierce drive, which struck the goalkeeper, the ball looped up into the air, bounced back off the top of the cross bar into the keeper's arms. The scores remained level at half time.

The Lambs made a fast start in the second half, and within five minute took the lead. It was Johnny Wyatt, who tormented the visitor's defence all afternoon, who got the breakthrough. His penetrating run down the right, saw him beating two defenders as he cut inside the penalty area and rifled the ball inside the near post, giving the goalkeeper no chance of saving. Back came Winterbourne and the Lambs nearly paid the penalty for a lapse of concentration in defence, but Rhys-Jones fired wide, with the goal at his mercy from six yards.

The games memorable moment came in the 63rd minute when Dan Follett's beautifully struck free kick from 45 yards out, deceived the visitors keeper, as it dipped under his crossbar in the far corner to give the Lambs a 3-1 lead.

Both Jarryd Kelly and Dan Pethick who worked tirelessly throughout, both went close with fine efforts, but failed to increase the Lambs lead.

Winterbourne were not done yet and Dean Smith, who had another fine game for the Lambs, was called upon to make a superb save, when he was left one on one with Rendles, in the 76th minute.

The visitors pulled a goal back in the 81st minute when Joe Smith fouled Rhys- Jones. Smith saved the spot kick but the ball rebounded off the keeper into the path of the on rushing forward who slotted home to make it 3-2.

It was a tense last few minutes but the Lambs held on to earn a well deserved victory against stiff opposition.

This was a much better all round team performance, as a number of the players returned from injury. This must be the platform to build on and produce the same form and commitment to get some points, to lift the team out of the lower reaches of the league.