Walter C Parson cup

Mousehole 4

Tavistock AFC 2

(after extra time)

TAVISTOCK had to make changes to their normal starting line up, as both full backs Josh Robins and Ben Cross were unavailable. Ricki Shepherd and Warren Daw played at full back, while Dan Evans returning from injury, played at centre back.

This quarter final game got off to a fast start and Lewis Coombes had the first scoring opportunity but his shot was well wide of the target. The home team went close in the ninth minute when Bradley Wills’ shot went inches wide.

Ten minutes later a great through ball saw Jack Crago in on goal; Tavistock claimed he was pulled down just outside the penalty area, but the referee waved play on.

The game was flowing from end to end with each team probing for openings, but both defences were in fine form. Players were finding it difficult to keep their footing on the slippery, sticky playing surface.

Midway through the half Jack Ord was called upon to make two smart saves and deny the home team taking the lead. Lewis Coombes then saw his shot on the turn go inches over the bar for the Lambs. Then, from a Coombes’ cross, saw Jack Crago’s header was well saved by Parker-Billinge.  

The second half started with both teams trying to get the upper hand but the balance of play was even. It was the home team that finally broke the deadlock; a fine through ball found Lewis Caspel who unleashed an unstoppable shot that flashed into the net.

The Lambs continued to threaten on the counter attack and deservedly equalised ten minutes from time when Kelvin Fyneboy headed home a cross from Ricki Shepherd, following a good move down the right wing.

Then in the closing minutes of the 90 the game was turned on its head in two minutes of madness, when Lewis Coombes was sent off for a second bookable offence. The final whistle came with the scores level.

Extra time saw Mousehole take the lead mid way through the first period, when from a corner kick Lambs’ keeper Jack Ord appeared to be fouled as he went to collect the cross; the ball fell to Bradley Wills, who headed home fro close range.

After the restart, with the Lambs pushing for an equaliser, they got caught short at the back; this resulted in a shot from Karl Turner taking a wicked deflection off a defender, looping over keeper Ord, and creeping just under the cross bar into the net.

The Lambs were denied reducing the arrears when Parker-Billinge made a great save to prevent Fyneboy from scoring.

Throwing caution to the wind the visitors conceded again four minutes from time when Simon Stevens calmly finished from another counter attack.

Back came the Lambs as Kelvin F Fyneboy was brought down in the penalty area and he calmly converted the spot kick to reduce the arrears. Mousehole progress to the semi-final of the competition.

This was a disappointing result for the Lambs, there was little to choose between the two sides but the Lambs made it a mission beyond their reach when Lewis Coombes was set off. The home team pressed high up the pitch and gave the Lambs no time to settle on the ball, and this, combined with difficult playing conditions, did not allow the Lambs to get their free flowing passing game going. The five week lay off obviously also had an effect on the performance which was not up to their usual high standard.

The team now need to get over this set back, as they have some very challenging games coming up in the next few weeks.