The Charity Vase

Helston Athletic 0

Tavistock AFC 2

(played at Holsworthy FC)

TAVISTOCK AFC season got off to the best possible start when they won the Charity Vase, which is played between last season’s winners of the East (Tavistock AFC) and West division (Helston) of the Peninsula League.

The Lambs were slow out of the blocks and it was Helston that settled into their game early on, and had the edge in the opening quarter of the game. However, it was the Lambs that had the first real attempt to open the scoring in the 12th minute, when Josh Robins made a powerful run down the left flank; his square pass into the box found Danny Zalick on the penalty spot but his fierce shot was deflected for a corner kick.

Two minutes later Helston were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal but Jack Ord made a fine save. tipping a thunderous drive from Ben Stidwell over the bar. Three minutes later it was Stidwell again that broke from midfield and flashed a shot from 30 yards just wide of the target.

The Lambs were now starting to get their passing game going and started to put more pressure on the Helston defence.

In the 25th minute Bobby Hopkinson provided a lovely cross but Lewis Coombes’ header was well saved by Robertson the Helston keeper.

The game was now flowing from end to end with both teams probing for that elusive opening. Helston looked particularly dangerous from corner kicks, and almost scored in the 30th minute when Hugh Howlett had a free header in the penalty area, which flashed over the cross bar.

Tavistock got the breakthrough in the 34th minute when Josh Robins found Danny Zalick with a terrific pass. Zalick in turn provided a first time ball to set Jack Crago free, and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball past the advancing keeper from 12 yards.

The Lambs were denied by the woodwork in the 41st minute when a great move between Crago and Coombes saw the latter hit a fine drive from 16 yards.

Back came Helston as they tried to apply more pressure on the Lambs’ defence, and had an opportunity when Joe Cook carelessly gave the ball away to Phil Catteran, who hit the bar from 20 yards — fortunately for Tavistock the ball rebounded to safety. Helston then produced their best move of the half to to set their left back up to hit a thunderous shot from 22 yards, which flashed inches over the bar.

The Lambs increased the tempo in their game in the second half, passing the ball quicker and with more purpose. Helston continued to play well, but they were restricted mainly to long range efforts, which were dealt with admirably by Jack Ord in the Tavistock goal.

The Lambs increased their lead in the 53rd minute when Bobby Hopkinson threaded a perfect pass through to Lewis Coombes who calmly slotted the ball home, beating Robertson at his near post from eight yards.

Cargo’s pace caused the Helston defence problems throughout the game and he almost set up a third goal for the Lambs but his ball into the penalty area was cleared to safety.

Helston continued to look to reduce the arrears and Stidwell was always willing to try from long range; Jack Ord was forced to make a fine save in the 65th minute when his shot from 25 yards was turned over the bar by the keeper.

Over the 90 minutes the Lambs deservedly came out on top. The performance was mediocre in the first half but there was a big improvement in the second period.

Manager Stewart Cawte has certainly brought in some talented players to the club and will be looking for the Lambs providing some entertaining football at Langsford Park this season.