Carlsberg South West peninsula premier
Tavistock AFC 3
Ivybridge Town 1
THE Lambs continued their impressive run of league wins as they recorded their eighth victory on the trot against Ivybridge, another team challenging at the top end of the table.
Ivybridge have also been in a fine run of form as both teams entered this game played in gale force winds, knowing that whoever won would move up to third in the league table.
The Lambs played with the wind in the first half, and almost scored in the opening minute when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out; Dave Hallett’s cross found Kelvin Fyneboy in the penalty area — he laid the ball back to Jack Crago, but his goal bound shot was deflected for a corner kick by full back Fenwick.
The home team playing with the wind and controlled the opening 20 minutes, creating a number of goal scoring chances during this period.
In the ninth minute Dave Hallett provided a great pass to find Ricki Shepherd, but his fierce shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Oak in the visitors’ goal. Two minutes later Oak again came to the rescue when he made a diving save low down to his right, turning a Lewis Coombes’ header away for a corner kick.
Fyneboy and Crago then combined well to open up the visitors’ defence; Crago’s cross found Coombes, who put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for off side.
The visitors first real threat on the home goal came in the 25th minute when a powerful shot from Truelove was deflected away for a corner kick.
Two minutes later, another fine move by the home team saw Shepherd in on goal; he rounded the keeper, and just as he was about to slot the ball home he lost his footing, and the chance had gone.
On the half hour the Lambs had another corner — a goalmouth scramble ensued after Oak had made a fine save the ball fell to Fyneboy, but his shot was cleared off the goal line by Zimmerman.
Truelove then saw his effort well saved by Ord in the home goal. The home team spurned two more good opportunities to open the scoring; firstly Coombes blasted over the bar when well placed and then Fyneboy screwed his shot wide of the target, as the first half remained goalless.
Ivybridge took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half when, following a corner kick, the ball fell to Josh Zimmerman, who forced the ball home from eight yards.
Josh Robins then produced a fine run, but was crudely brought down 25 yards from goal. The free kick was well wide of the target.
The Lambs were playing some fine football against the elements by keeping the ball on the floor, and got their just rewards when they equalised in the 60th minute. The referee awarded a free kick for a deliberate back pass to the keeper. A thunderous shot from Warren Daw nestled in the top corner of the net.
Things got worse for the visitors when Pearce was shown a straight red card for a really bad tackle on Coombes.
The Lambs continued to press forward for the winner, and deservedly took the lead in the 87th minute when a fine move resulted in Shepherd providing the perfect cross for Jack Alexander to slot home from ten yards. The visitors were denied an equaliser when a header from Stephens looked destined for the top corner was brilliantly pushed away for a corner kick by Jack Ord.
The home team sealed the victory when another fluent move involving four players, resulted in Ben Cross scoring from 12 yards.
This was another good performance, moving the Lambs up to third in the table. It was a competitive game between two good footballing teams, but over the 90 minutes the home team deserved to take the points.
They will need to produce another top quality performance when they visit Plymouth Parkway this Saturday.