Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Plymouth Parkway 1

Tavistock AFC 0

TAVISTOCK AFC’s magnificent eight game winning streak came to and end when they lost by a single goal. The game was played in blustery conditions, on a heavy playing surface.

Manager Stuart Henderson had to make changes as Dan Follett was not available and Lewis Coombes missed out through injury with a broken toe. Lyle Johnson and Lewis Pacey came into the starting line up.

The Lambs almost took the lead in the second minute, when a poor clearance from home keeper Piper, went straight to Ricki Shepherd who was 24 yards from goal; his fierce shot was well saved though by the keeper. Five minutes later Jack Ord was called upon to make a smart save from Parkway’s Lewis. The home team always looked dangerous when they played high balls into the penalty box as they had some tall players that caused an aerial threat.

Parkway were now having a good spell and from another corner kick the ball was headed well wide of the target. This was followed by another breakaway which saw Lewis shoot well wide from 25 yards; Shepherd then blocked a shot to deny Lewis from scoring.

Back came the Lambs. A really good passing move involving four players saw Dave Hallett provide a perfect pass to put Jack Crago in on goal, but his shot clipped the top of the cross bar.

The home team then opened the scoring when another corner kick from Colwell saw Lewis lose his marker at the near post; his header was scrambled clear by Josh Robins on the goal line, but the referees assistant ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line.

Two minutes later Ord made a fine save to deny Parkway from increasing their lead.

The Lambs had a great chance to level the scores  five minutes before the interval, when another fine move saw Shepherd put Crago in on goal but he was crudely brought down by Piper and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty kick. Josh Robins stepped up to take the spot kick but his shot flashed over the cross bar. The Lambs continued to press for that elusive equaliser but the home team went into the interval with a single goal lead.

The visitors started brightly in the second half and really took the game to Parkway; they played some really attractive football but failed to find that cutting edge in the attacking third of the pitch.

The Lambs lost the services of Jack Crago who was stretchered off after a really heavy challenge. Crago’s pace had caused the home side problems, and with a little bit of luck he could well have added to his goal tally for the season.

In the 78th minute a Dave Hallett free kick found Ricki Shepherd in a good position but his shot flashed inches wide of the target. The Lambs pressed forward near the end and there was always a chance they would get caught short at the back, so Ord was called upon to make a smart save to deny the home side from doubling their lead.

In time added on, from a corner kick Josh Robins saw his shot blocked and cleared. In the last minute Lewis was sent off when he was shown a second yellow for another crude challenge.

This was another good performance, and the Lambs should have taken at least a share of the points, if not all three. Sometimes you do not get what you deserve, but they can take from the game is they have proven on their day, they can compete with the best in the league.