Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

IVYBRIDGE 0

TAVISTOCK AFC 4

TAVISTOCK move within three points of Plymouth Argyle at the top of the table. This game was always seen as a possible ‘banana skin’ for the team, having only beaten Ivybridge by the odd goal in three earlier in the season.

Ivybridge came into this game full of confidence after recording their fourth consecutive win at Millbrook last week.

The opening exchanges were even with both teams playing good football in the heavy rain. It was Ivybridge that had the first real attempt on goal, but a powerful, long-range shot from Fyneboy went high over the bar.

In the 11th minute a fine move saw the Lambs force a corner kick. Dave Hallett’s deep cross to the far post found Jack Crago who powered home a magnificent header from eight yards, giving Piper in the home goal no chance of saving.

Ivybridge always looked a threat, playing some good constructive football but the Lambs’ defence looked compact and in fine form.

The vistitors continued to look the more likely to score the next goal, with both Crago and Josh Grant going close. Both Josh Robins and Mason Hughes were getting down the flanks at every opportunity keeping the pressure on the home defence.

Just before the interval Ivybridge created what looked like a good scoring opportunity when Stevens was in on goal but Josh Oak made a really good save to protect the visitors’ one goal advantage at the interval.

The second half started with Warren Daw shooting inches wide of the home goal in the 48th minute. Eight minutes later a fine move by the Lambs saw Luke Brown’s shot, that looked destined for the net, deflected away for a corner kick. Piper, in the home goal, then made a fine save to deny Daw from scoring.

The Lambs deservedly doubled their advantage on the hour, when another terrific move saw the ball find Hallett just outside the penalty area; his first time effort flashed low into the corner of the net, giving Piper no chance of saving.

Tavistock were now beginning to control the game. In the 63rd minute Liam Prynn shot inches wide of the target.

Three minutes later Tallan Burns replaced Grant. It was Burns that scored the Lambs’ third goal with virtually his first touch of the ball. A fine move from defence to attack saw the ball find Luke Brown and his fine pass found Burns who jinked passed his marker and fired an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.

Sam Davey then replaced Crago, who was immediately in the action exchanging passes with Hallett to set up Daw, but his fine effort cannoned back of the upright and cleared to safety. In the 76th minute another terrific passing move saw a magnificent effort from Davey hit the post and cleared.

However, Davey was not to be denied, as three minutes later a great long defence splitting pass from Matt David put him in on goal; he calmly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper into the net to complete the scoring in the 83rd minute.

Ivybridge never gave up and continued to try creating some scoring opportunities, but the Lambs’ defence was in top form and dealt admirably with any threat the home team could produce.

Manager Stuart Henderson was full of praise for the team.

He said: ‘A number of outstanding performances. Captain Warren Daw covered every blade of grass and Luke Brown and Mason Hughes were willing runners at every opportunity. Liam Prynn worked the channels really well. The defence were in great form and dealt with any threat that the home team produced.’

The man of the match was Dave Hallett who gave the complete performance, working his socks off for the team and scoring the all important second goal.