Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one east

Newton Abbot Spurs 1

Tavistock AFC 2

THE Lambs started this game fully alert and dictated the play in the opening 20 minutes.

The Spurs' keeper Nial Herbert made three great saves during this period, to keep his side in the game. Firstly he made a fine save to deny Lewis Daw, tipping his effort over the bar. Minutes later Carlton Farnham had his shot well saved, before Jarryd Kelly pivoted in the area and his shot, which looked destined to find the net but Herbert made another terrific save to keep his side in the game.

In the 23rd minute from a corner kick Lewis Daw had his header well saved by the keeper, and from the corner kick his powerful header flashed inches wide of the upright. Five minutes later Jarryd Kelly was fouled just outside the penalty area but Josh Robbins' fierce drive flew just over the bar.

The hosts' first real threat on the Lambs goal came in the 30th minute when a counter attack saw Dyson drag his shot wide of the target. Four minutes later the hosts almost took the lead when the Lambs lost possession on the half way line — a quick counter attack saw Adam Dyson's shot come back off the post, and cleared to safety.

The Lambs continued to control the game creating several promising moves. Two minutes before the interval Fyneboy made a terrific run into the Spurs' penalty area, but once again he was denied as Herbert made another fine save.

The Lambs continued to dominate the opening period of the second half, and six minutes in they opened the scoring, when Farnham was fouled outside the penalty area. Dave Hallett's free kick saw Fyneboy dive low, to head home from eight yards, to give the Lambs a deserved lead.

In the 55th minute a great crossfield ball found Edwards on the right wing, his cross was inch perfect for Jack Thomas, who Tavistock claim was then pulled down in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on.The hosts were now beginning to get a fair share of the play, and ten minutes later they were rewarded for their efforts. Slack marking by the Lambs' defence from a Joe Andrews' corner kick, saw a header from Tom Sercombe goal bound; Josh Robbins hooked the ball clear, but the ball was adjudged to have crossed the goal line, to level the scores.

The game was now flowing from end to end, with both sides probing for a winner. The visitors looked the more likely, but Spurs had their moments in an exciting last quarter of the game. With four minutes remaining the Lambs deservedly took the lead when Farnham made a fine run past two defenders, before he cut the ball back to Jack Thomas, who swept the ball home to secure the points.

This was a much improved performance by Tavistock on last week, although the team are still not back to their best form. They showed more determination and commitment, and showed some flashes of the fine football they produced earlier in the season. However, they need to kill sides off when they dictate periods of play like they did today.