St Luke's Devon BowlTAVISTOCK AFC 2

EXETER CITY 0

THE Lambs move into the next round of the St Luke’s Bowl Cup by defeating the current holders of the trophy Exeter City.

Manager Stuart Henderson was forced to make some changes to the starting line up, with Dan Evans and Warren Daw not available and Josh Robins suspended. Reece Shanley returned from injury with Dave Slade coming in at left back.

Both teams played some excellent football throughout the game, with the home team scoring two late goals to seal the victory.

A fierce shot from Moyse was well saved by Ben Elphick in the eighth minute. Seven minutes later a fine passing move saw Alex Cairo find Josh Grant but his shot was well saved by Auther in the visitors’ goal.

Five minutes later another fine move saw Grant find Jordan Annear but he shot wide of the target when well placed.

Back came Exeter and from a corner kick, Morrison lost his marker but headed over the crossbar.

Tavistock started to get the better of the exchanges and on the half hour mark Auther made another terrific save to deny Annear from opening the scoring.

Lambs’ wing back Reece Shanley then took a knock and was replaced by Kieran Burns.

The home team continued to press forward but the first half finished goalless.

The home side were fast out of the blocks at the start of the second half and created two good goal scoring chances in the opening minutes as both Crago and Annear shot over the bar when well placed.

Exeter responded well and Elphick made a terrific save to deny Simpson from scoring. The game continued to flow from end to end with both defences in fine form.

With 20 minutes remaining Liam Prynn replaced Callum Watson and was soon in the action providing a fine pass to Grant but his powerful shot was well saved by Auther in the visitors’ goal.

The Lambs finally got the breakthrough their play deserved in the 75th minute, when, from a corner kick, the visitors failed to clear their lines and centre back Tom Strike took advantage and fired the ball home from ten yards.

Exeter pushed for an equaliser but the home defence were in fine form and Elphick showed his class by commanding his goal area when danger threatened.

With Exeter pushing forward the Lambs became dangerous on the counter attack with Crago and Annear forcing Auther to make two great saves.

The Lambs sealed the victory with three minutes remaining when another fine passing move resulted in Crago putting Annear in on goal; he made no mistake as he fired the ball past Auther from 12 yards.

This was a good all round team performance from Tavistock which earned them a deserved victory over a good Exeter City team. Man of the match was Tom Strike for his terrific display at the heart of the Lambs’ defence and scoring that all important first goal.