Tavistock firsts XI 4

Falmouth 4

TAVISTOCK firsts XI were home against top of the league Falmouth, and play began at a strong pace.

Tavistock were the first to score when a strong ball from the Tavistock defence found attacker Lamb who drove to the back line and pulled the ball back for Fenwick who sliced it past the Falmouth keeper.

Falmouth were powerful on the ball and moved at pace putting defenders Kelly, Mills-Hicks, Langsford and Colston under pressure, with several short corners awarded to the away side. Strong leadership from the Tavistock keeper Viggers ensured all attempts were held out in the first half.

Tavistock were awarded a penalty corner, which Payne pushed out to Armstrong who flicked the ball over the defenders stick and turned to strike the ball in, making it 2-0 to Tavistock.

This was an unlikely position to be in against the top of the league away side but Tavistock took confidence from the early win and kept the pressure on.

Before half time Tavy played the ball wide to White on the left wing who made a strong run, crossing the ball to Payne, who beat her defender and laid off to Fenwick who converted with a flick into the top corner of the goal.

The second half brought more end to end play, Tavistock made the most of the space with some sweeping passes around the back line and up to midfielders Pollock, Armstrong and Patterson.

A quick break from the back saw Langsford hit the ball long to Lamb who switched and passed to Gaspar, who chipped the ball past the Falmouth keeper to make it 4-0.

This set something going in the away teams who suddenly charged at a jubilant Tavistock and responded with a quick goal, making it 4-1. Falmouth began to get the bit between their teeth and once again made several quick passes to cut through the Tavistock players and find the back of the net again. 4-2.

A Tavistock penalty corner followed, the ball was pushed out by Payne to Armstrong who laid the ball off to Lamb who just missed the near post. Once again Falmouth grabbed the ball and broke at a great pace, this created a one-on-one situation with keeper Viggers who opted for the diving save, the Falmouth attacker just managed to pull the ball around her and score again. 4-3 to the home side.

Tavistock continued to battle and move the ball out of danger, with players starting to tire from the pace. Falmouth managed to create an overlap and move the ball through the forward line to find a gap on the left post. This made the score 4-4, the final whistle following shortly after. Tavistock managed to hold a draw and take a point from the game.

The Tavistock first XI now go into the Christmas break in fourth position in South Division. The team would like to thank their volunteer coach Simon Fenwick for all his time and effort this season to date.