East Cornwall premier

Tavistock reserves 4

St Stephens Borough 1

THE game started slowly with both teams trying to settle into their normal rhythm.

It was a tense opening 30 minutes with neither teams creating much. However, it was Tavistock who took the lead when Sam Hicks slotted home from six yards after Borough failed to clear their lines.

In the second half Tavistock came out looking stronger and certainly had stepped it up a gear; James Phelps and Matt Davidson started to put the pressure with some dangerous runs. In the 52nd minute Tavistock went 2-0 up thanks to Sam Hicks. James Phelps’ superb run down the right put his cross onto Hicks’ feet; he still had work to do with his back to goal but held the ball up well, turned and slotted home the second.

Three minutes later James Phelps beat two players and from 30 yards out unleashed a powerful shot into the back of the net, leaving the keeper standing.

A couple of minutes later Borough came back and made it 3-1 when Sam Ticehurst scored, after a one on one with the Tavistock goalkeeper.

Tavistock came back straight away from the kick off and another superb cross from James Phelps allowed Ian Rooke to head the ball at goal with the keeper pulling off an excellent close range save — however, Tavistock’s skipper Scott Wellington was there to follow up a yard from goal to make it 4-1 to Tavistock.

After that the home side had plenty of chances to score with Sam Hicks and Ian Rooke both hitting the bar. Scott Rennie, returning from injury, also came close.

This was a great game for Tavistock who now jump up to fourth in the table.

There are exciting signs and lots of positives for the team with some good young players and attractive football being played.