Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

St Austell 3

Tavistock AFC 1

ST Austell one of this year’s title contenders, closed the gap to four points of second placed Lambs, after this close encounter.

The Lambs had to make changes to the team that started against Argyle — Owen Jones missed out through injury and Dan Evans took his place in centre defence. Club captain Lewis Daw, though not totally fit, was on the subs’ bench.

The game got off to a fast start with both teams probing for an opening. The Lambs opened the scoring in the 15th minute when a great pass from Josh Robins found Luke Brown, who laid on the perfect pass to Glynn Hobbs to fire the ball home from 11 yards.

Influential midfielder Dave Hallet, who was having a fine game, picked up an injury in the 25th minute and could take no further part in the game —he was replaced by Steve Rogers.

A minute later the home team were awarded a free kick 22 yards out but Tavistock keeper Josh Oak made a great save to deny Watts from levelling the scores.

However, St Austell did equalise on the half hour when Chambers headed home at the far post from a corner kick.

The game was now flowing from end to end between two evenly matched teams. Prynn went close for the home team while Hobbs for Tavistock saw his goal bound shot deflected for a corner kick.

Just before the interval Shane Krac made a penetrating run from midfield working his way into the home area but his fierce shot deflected off a defender for a corner kick.

The turning point in the game came early in the second half when the Lambs missed two great chances to regain the lead. A great ball from Ben Cross found Krac in space but his shot went inches over the bar. Minutes later another great move saw Hobbs in on goal but his powerful shot was brilliantly saved by Chapman in the Saints’ goal.

The Lambs paid the penalty for these missed opportunities as the home team took the lead on the hour when a good move saw Slateford’s fine pass find Prynn, his powerful shot from just outside the penalty area nestled low in the corner of the net.

Jack Crago then went close, but it was the home team that were now having the greater share of possession.

The Lambs kept pressing to try and find an equaliser. The home team made the game safe in the 82nd minute, when the visitors lost possession and Goldsworthy finished off a fine individual move to seal the victory.

This was a disappointing result although there was not a lot between the two teams. It is important that Tavistock get back to top form for the next game to get back to winning ways.

Tavistock AFC 1

Plymouth Argyle Reserves 1

A CROWD of 450 on December 27 witnessed a really good game, with both teams playing some excellent football.

Argyle fielded a strong team with six seasoned experienced professionals in their starting line up. The Lambs were without the services of centre back Dan Evans.

Argyle started the brighter, as Lambs’ keeper Josh Oak was called upon to make a smart save in the third minute to deny Carver. This was followed minutes later when the visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area but Tanner’s effort sailed over the bar.

The Lambs then started to get a foot hold in the game, Jack Crago made a fine break down the left, but his cross was collected by Dorel in the visitors’ goal. The game continued to flow from end to end, with Argyle just edging the greater share of possession. Keeper Oak then made a fine save to deny Rooney from opening the scoring.

The Lambs opened the scoring in the 18th minute when a fine move saw Dave Hallett cross into the box; the ball fell to Glynn Hobbs, who flashed the ball home from 20 yards.

Shortly afterwards a great defence splitting pass by Shane Krac put Jack Crago free on the left, but his bullet like shot was brilliantly saved by Dorel.  A Calver free kick was then punched clear by Oak in the home goal.

On the half hour Josh Oak made a terrific save diving low to his left to turn the ball away for a corner kick. A good move saw Glynn Hobbs and Josh Grant combine to find Crago but his powerful shot was just wide of the target. The game continued to flow from end to end and with both defences in fine form the half time whistle came with the Lambs leading by a single goal.

Argyle started the second half at a tremendous pace both Purrington and Tanner going close, before Hobbs hit the side netting. Lambs keeper’ Oak then made a great save turning a shot from Lane away for a corner kick.

Just before the hour the referee awarded Argyle a dubious penalty kick when Daw and Goodwillie came together inside the penalty area and the ref pointed to the spot.  Goodwillie’s spot kick saw Josh Oak make a great save to maintain the home team’s lead. Minutes later Oak was quick off his line to collect the ball at the feet of Goodwillie.

Lambs’ manager Henderson made substitutions to bring on some fresh legs as the home team were now beginning to feel the pace of the game. In the 57th minute Rosenquest replaced Hallett  and ten minutes later Shepherd and Rogers replaced Crago and Brown.

The Lambs were awarded a free kick 22 yards from goal, Hobbs’ fierce kick was saved by McCullum low down to his left.

The home team then suffered a severe set back when Owen Jones had to stretchered off in the 80th minute. Having already used their three substitutes Tavistock had to play the remainder of the game with ten men.

Six minutes later the extra man told when  Tanner unleashed an unstoppable shot from 20 yards that nestled in the top corner of the net. It was backs to the wall for the Lambs now, but with some great defending and goalkeeping they deservedly held on for a draw.

This was another terrific performance by the team when every player can be really proud of their individual efforts. The defence were outstanding, midfield were competitive and played some great football, and the forwards always looked a threat and really tested the Argyle defence.

The man of the match was keeper Josh Oak who pulled off a number of good saves including the penalty save, his handling was superb throughout the game.