Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Tavistock AFC 2

Ivybridge Town 1

ONCE again Tavistock were without several regulars, through injury and suspensions.

The Lambs got off to a pulsating start, opening the scoring in the third minute when Jack Crago made a penetrating run, before curling the perfect shot from the edge of the penalty area into the far top corner of the net.

This was followed by another fine move with Liam Prynn and Josh Grant exchanging passes which resulted in Grant’s terrific effort being turned away for a corner kick by the visitors’ keeper Gregory.

The first real effort on the home goal came in the 14th minute when Cunningham shot over the bar from 20 yards.

Four minute later Ivybridge equalised when a fierce shot from former Lambs’ player Fineboy rebounded back off Josh Oak into the path of Rowe, who,calmly slotted the ball home from seven yards.

The Lambs pushed forward and another fine passing move saw Grant make a penetrating run into the penalty area where he was fouled by Hazlem. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Grant thundered the spot kick home to restore the lead.

The game continued to flow from end to end but the half ended with the Lambs leading by a single goal.

The visitors started the second half at a fast pace and started to play some fine football, showing how much they have improved over the past few weeks, with a fine win in the F A Vase, and a good league win at Helston in mid week. Truelove saw his fine effort from 22 yards flash inches wide of the hosts’ goal.

Things got worse for the home team when Prynn limped off following a tackle with Bailey Williams taking his place.

The visitors were now having a very good spell, with the home team struggling to find their normal fluent passing game. Lambs’ keeper Josh Oak made a terrific save to deny Fineboy, and Harry Southcott made a great defensive header turning the ball away for a corner kick when it looked destined for the net.

The Lambs’ defence held firm to gain the three points, in order to maintain their challenge at the top end of the league table.

This will be a game the team will want to forget, as the performance was well below their normal high standard. The team will need to get back to their high standards before they take on Western League leaders Willand Rovers in the F A Vase on Saturday.

Man of the match was Jack Crago who looked dangerous when in possession.