Marshall’s Tavistock AFC tenure kickstarts with success

CONNOR Marshall labelled his Tavistock AFC players as “absolutely superb” as they came from behind to beat Buckland Athletic in his first game in charge on Wednesday, September 30.

Very few people inside The VX3 Stadium will have known what to expect from the Lambs following the departure of Steve Tully and the subsequent losses of several key players, Tom Chastey the latest to head to pastures new (Exmouth Town).

Buckland meanwhile are used to making bright starts this season and they did so once more, Sammy Stayt sweeping a perfect ball for Fin Herbert to latch onto and in turn, the youngster picked out the bottom corner to open his account for the club with 10 minutes on the clock.

The hosts were then dealt a seismic blow though- an innocuous challenge between goalkeeper Dan Holman and their star striker Ryan Bush left the latter in considerable pain, pounding the turf. He was forced off with the Bucks since confirming that, after a trip to hospital, he has a fractured humerus.

Perhaps this disruption in proceedings favoured Tavistock as they restored parity. Iestyn Harris’ first dangerous cross for Ryan Smith saw Myles James make a great clearance off of the goal-line but it was second time lucky, the in-form Smith notching against his former side.

The rain started to settle and so did the game with a good 20 minutes passing by without anything of real note, both teams fashioning half chances and nothing more.

Into the second half and set-piece after set-piece entered the Lambs box but they were always met by a grey shirt as Buckland continued to waste a whole host of opportunities.

Holman, who looked to be hobbling, repelled substitute Toby Pullman really well and was the first to reach the rebound too.

Tavistock looked a lively outfit on the break in the final 20 minutes or so and as Jacob Bowker raced away, it looked like goal time only for Mike Searle’s swift intervention to keep it a one apiece.

Their next break resulted in a corner from which the hammer blow arrived. Bowker swung it in and there is still some debate as to whether Jordan Pearce headed into his own net or if Dave Rowe converted the winning goal, not that the travelling supporters will have cared all that much.

Buckland were then scrambling to rescue a point and they were given a boost when the aforementioned Rowe earned himself a place in the sin-bin.

Pullman went down wanting a penalty to no avail before Josiah McKayle was on hand to convert a Jamie Simmonds cross right at the death, only for the linesman to controversially raise his flag, eliminating the final glimmer of Buckland hope.

As was the case with the identity of the late goalscorer, there were question marks from both sides regarding this contentious call. Understandably, Buckland and Tavistock opinions differed.

Marshall, with a smile beaming from ear to ear, said after the full-time whistle: “My Tavi boys were excellent, [they] met the gameplan to perfection and we got the win as a result.

“I thought both teams went at it and it was a great game to be both a manager and a fan.”

He also expressed his admiration for his opposite number: “Credit to Buckland and to Matt, he’s a fantastic manager and someone we all look up to. Especially me, when I was younger and going up through the process.”

There wasn’t even the chance for a training session under the new manager and he noted that “It was hard and it’s still going to by hard, I’m not going to sugarcoat it.

“I’d be stupid to think otherwise, it’s going to be a really tough challenge that I’ve taken on and all I can do is look forward and try my best.”

Following the departures of Chastey, Shane White and Deacon Thomson to name just a few, Marshall is aware of the situation he finds himself in.

“They’re all wonderful footballers so of course interest is going to be coming thick and fast, everybody wants a good footballer and after tonight, they’ll probably have even more interest but that’s football.

“I’ll shake their hands and wish them well if they go, I’ll keep working and we’ll keep working. At the end of the day, it’s a test for all of us, a test and a challenge for me and that’s why I took it.”

That challenge continues on Saturday, October 3, as the fourth-placed Lambs visit fifth-placed Portishead Town before Marshall makes his Langsford Park bow against Ivybridge Town on Tuesday 6.