Peninsula League Cup Tavistock AFC 3 Newton Abbot Spurs 3 (Tavistock won 4-3 on penalties) THE teams met in a league fixture a couple of weeks ago, when the home team won in a close game, so the Lambs were aware that this was going to be a tough cup tie. The tie turned out to be a dramatic encounter, with the Lambs eventually triumphant after a penalty shoot out to earn them a trip to Saltash United in the next round. From the off it was evident that the visitors were going to try and take the game to the home team, and they went close in the fifth minute when Dyson pulled his shot just wide of the target. Five minutes later the Lambs were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area; Kelvin Fyneboy's shot was well saved by the keeper. The Spurs were then awarded a free kick in a similar position but the home side defensive wall did its job and blocked the shot. It was Newton Abbot who took the lead when Adam Dyson beat two defenders before curling a perfect shot into the corner of the net. The Lambs levelled in the 34th minute following some fine build up play between Dave Hallett and Kelvin Fyneboy — the ball came to Lewis Edwards who from 20 yards, hit a thunderous left foot drive which gave the visiting keeper no chance as it nestled in the back of the net. Tavistock were now having a really good spell and four minutes later deservedly took the lead when a great move involving Lewis Edwards and Ian Rooke saw the latter provide the perfect pass to Jarryd Kelly, who made no mistake and slotted the ball home. Minutes later a corner kick taken by Dave Hallett was met by Kelvin Fyneboy but his header thundered against the cross bar and ran to safety. The visitors' keeper then produced a magnificent save to deny Kelly increasing the lead. Just before the interval Ian Rooke scored with a great near post header from another corner kick by Dave Hallett, to give the home team a 3-1 advantage at the interval. The visitors started brightly in the second half, and played some really good football, causing the home defence some concern. On the hour the Lambs thought they should have had a penalty, when Lewis Edwards appeared to be upended in the penalty area but the referee waved play on. Martin Piper in the home goal then made a really fine save to stop Dyson from scoring. The Lambs then settled back into their rhythm and had a period of possession involving 25 passes, which almost resulted in a goal, but unfortunately Fyneboy failed to convert the chance. In the 65th minute the visitors were back in the game when they were awarded a free kick just outside the Lambs' penalty area. Carl Bradley calmly delivered the perfect kick which went over the defensive wall and dipped into the top corner of thee net. Three minutes later the visitors were denied an equaliser when Piper produced another fine save. Josh Robbins then hit a shot from 30 yards which just cleared the cross bar. Minutes later Robbins was denied again by the keeper when he combined well with Fyneboy, but his shot was pushed around the post for a corner kick. The visitors continued to press for an equaliser and Dyson was always causing the home defence some concern with his pace and penetrating runs. The Lambs had their chances to put the game to bed but were prevented from doing so by some resolute defending by the visitors. Dan Follett had a ferocious shot blocked when it looked destined for the net. For the second time in the game Kelvin Fyneboy saw another header hit the woodwork and bounce to safety. The 90 minutes had passed and play continued and to the dismay of the the home crowd in the eighth minute of added time, the visitors equalised to take the game into extra time, when Dyson scored his second of the game. Immediately after the restart the referee blew the final whistle. In extra time the Lambs had a couple of chances to seal the victory but Maskell's fierce shot flew over the bar, and Fyneboy had a fine effort brilliantly saved by the keeper, so the game went to a penalty shoot out. Both sides had a less than clinical shoot out as Martin Piper produced two fine saves, and the home team also failed to convert two of the five spot kicks to take it to sudden death. Dave Hallett converted for the Lambs before Mark Brooke blazed over for the Spurs, for the home team to win 4-3 on penalty kicks. The spectators certainly had their monies worth in this exciting cup tie between two evenly matched teams, which kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The Lambs will be disappointed that they surrendered a two goal lead, and should have put the game beyond the reach of the visitors before their comeback. It took a lot of resolve from the team to bounce back, after conceding the two goals, for the game to go to extra time. Everyone played their part in this victory, with Dave Hallett back to his best and good performances from full backs Harry Southcott, Josh Robbins and ever reliable keeper Martin Piper. n This Saturday Tavistock AFC first team visit Sidmouth in the South West Peninsula division one east league, kick-off 3pm while Tavistock Reserves are home to Torpoint in the East Cornwall premier, kick-off 2.30pm.