Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying

WELLING UNITED 4

TAVISTOCK AFC 1

AN excellent and exciting run in the FA Cup finally come to an end for the Lambs but not without a fight.

Manager’s Stuart Henderson’s team equalled the Tavistock team of 1954/55 who also went out in the third round (to Barnstaple) having defeated Tiverton, St Austell and Minehead.

The game at Park View Road in South London on Saturday got off to an even start with both teams probing for an opening and play flowing from end to end.

The Lambs went close in the fourth minute when Luke Brown had a chance but his shot was saved by Wilks in the home goal.

In the 15th minute the Lambs lost possession just inside their own half and they were punished by the home team who responded with a good passing move, with Coombes providing the pass that put Goldberg in on goal; the striker fired the ball under the advancing Josh Oak into the corner of the net to give the home side the lead.

Back came Tavistock. A good move saw Reece Shanley cross an excellent cross into the penalty area but it went inches away from onrushing Jack Crago.

Minutes later another fine passing move ended with Liam Prynn’s shot deflected away for a corner kick. From the corner kick the ball was cleared but it fell to Ben Cross on the edge of the penalty area and his shot went over the bar.

The Lambs continued to produce some fine football and were holding this own against a really good Welling team in front of a fantastic band of loyal Tavistock supporters who made the long trip to support their team.

On the half hour another loss of possession midway in their own half by the visitors was punished; the razor sharp Goldberg cut into the penalty area before a clinical finish, firing low into the corner of the net.

However, the visitors were not deterred by this setback and continued to have a fair share of the play.

Goldberg once again showed his class, completing his hat-trick five minutes before the interval after good ball control when under pressure from the Lambs’ defence, before placing his well placed shot in the corner of the net.

The Lambs’ attractive passing football led to a deserved goal just before half time. A great passing move released Jack Crago on the left flank; he cut inside to unleash a thunderbolt from 20 yards that nestled in the top corner of the net.

In the dying minutes of the first half Lambs’ manager Stuart Henderson was forced to make a change when Luke Brown picked up a thigh injury and could take no further part with Luke Cloke coming on as his replacement.

A Lambs fight back suffered a major set back when Ben Cross was shown a red card for a tackle on Cook early in the second half. Even with ten men they would not going to surrender as they still played some really good football.

Oak then made a fine save to deny Goldberg from getting his fourth of the game.

Things got even worse for the Lambs in 74th minute when Robins was red carded for a tackle, reducing the Lambs to nine players. From this moment as to be expected the home team dominated possession and it was backs to the wall.

Alex Cairo replaced Prynn minutes before but three minutes later Welling sealed the victory when Oyinsan finished off a fine move. With the two men advantage the home side put the Lambs goal under severe pressure but Oak was in magnificent form making a number of outstanding saves during the closing minutes to prevent Welling from adding to their goal tally.

Club spokesman Derek Pethick said: ‘Tavistock AFC’s F A Cup dream is over but it has been a fantastic adventure and everyone can take great pride in getting to this stage.’