Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

Tavistock AFC 1

St Martin's 0

WITH Martin Piper and Luke Rundle not available and Josh Robbins suspended Manager Kevin Hendy made changes to the team. To add to his selection problems Carlton Farnham was not 100% fit and took a place on the substitutes bench.

The pleasing news was that Dave Hallett returned to the starting line up. Andy Meeds replaced Piper in goal with Dan Follett moving from mid field to partner Lewis Dawn in the centre of defence.

St Martin's were on a really good run of form recording a run of five consecutives victories and came to Langsford Park full of confidence, and showed in the opening minutes that they are a good football team. In the third minute the visitors' right back Kevin Pike made a great run down the right wing; his fierce first time cross into the six yard box was only inches out of the reach of centre forward Joey Hughes. They continued to press the ball so the home team were finding it difficult to get their passing game flowing.

The Lamb' first real threat on goal came in the 10th minute when Jordan Williams made a fine run down the left, he cut into the penalty area, but his square pass across the box just eluded the outstretched leg of Kelvin Fyneboy.

The Lambs now started to produce some good football and should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when good build up play in the middle of the park saw a ball delivered to Aaron Hulme; his flick on header found Fyneboy just inside the penalty area, but his shot flashed inches over the cross bar.

Back came the visitors and minutes later a defensive lapse in the home defence resulted in a goal mouth scramble but Andy Meeds was on hand to tidy things up. The home team immediately went down the other end and Aaron Hulme had a great shot from 20 yards well saved by keeper Lee Bailey.

There was an element of luck involved as the Lambs took the lead in the 27th minute. Following some fine approach play the ball fell to Kelvin Fyneboy; he beat two defenders and his fierce shot took a wicked deflection off defender Peter Eveleigh, to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Six minutes later Fyneboy once again produced some great skill to waltz pass two defenders but once again his final ball was not accurate enough to find Jordan Williams — a goalmouth melee ensued, and Hulme's final shot was blocked and fell into the welcoming arms of visiting goal keeper Lee Bailey.

The Lambs could not find that second goal as the half time whistle went with the home team leading by a single goal.

The game continued to be played at a fast pace in the second half with both teams trying to get the upper hand. In the 50th minute Stuart Clark made a fine run down the right; his accurate pass found Hulme, but his fierce shot was straight at the goal keeper, who made an easy save.

Play was flowing from end to end and it was evident that the recent fine run of results by the visitors was no fluke as they produced some fine football, which provided an entertaining match for the supporters of both teams.

In the 60th minute the visitors produced a swift counter attack as attacking full back Kevin Pike thrust down the right, he cut into the penalty area but his shot flashed wide of the target.

Eight minutes later the visitors produced another sharp attack when Andy Brook and Vincent combined well, but Vincent's shot was well saved by the ever reliable Andy Meeds.

Hulme then carried the ball from the half way line, beating two defenders as he powered forward, but dragged his shot from 20 yards inches wide of the target, with the keeper well beaten.

The home supporters became nervous over the last ten minutes as the visitors pressed to get the equaliser. However, with Andy Meeds in fine form and the back four looking compact, with Lewis Daw and Dan Follett determined to keep the visitors at bay, the home team managed to see the game out to gain what is a very important victory.

The last few games proved how competitive this league is, and that there are no easy fixtures, and it took a great team effort to get the result that was so badly wanted. The team really dug in and showed character and the will to win.

Everyone in the Tavistock team put in a good performance, with Andy Meeds looking as assured as ever with his handling and instruction from the back. Lewis Daw and Dan Follet played really well at centre backs, and it was great to see Dave Hallett back to stamp his authority in the middle of the park.

Kelly and Williams worked their socks off throughout the 90 minutes and Hulme and Fyneboy put pressure on the visitors' defence with their forceful running.