Carlsberg South West Peninsula league premier

Bovey Tracey 1

Tavistock AFC 0

WITH goalkeeper Den Smith injured, Andy Meeds made a welcome return to the Tavistock team. Both Jamie Ahearn and Ryan Moorhead were also out due to injury.

The Lambs started well and created an opening as early as the second minute when new signing Alex Lowe latched on to a through ball, but the shot was well saved by the home keeper. The visitors had to make a change in the 15th minute when Hatfield could take no further part in the game, after receiving a nasty accidental blow to the mouth. Jarryd Kelly replaced him in midfield.

It was Kelly that almost broke clear in the 22nd minute, but was brought down by a Bovey defender 25 yards from goal. The free kick failed to produce any danger. Two minutes later Andy Meeds made a fine save to deny Tom Kelly and keep the scores level.

Play remained even for the rest of the first half, with both teams finding it difficult to create any real scoring opportunities.

It was the home team that started the second half at a fast pace, and Meeds was called on to make three really good saves in the opening five minutes to keep the scores level.

The Lambs almost took the lead in the 58th minute when substitute Ian Rook saw his fine effort cannon back off the crossbar and run to safety. Minutes later Meeds made a fine save to prevent Jared Lewington from scoring.

With 12 minutes to go, the home side were reduced to ten men, when Kelly was sent off for a foul, and the use of abusive language to the referee and his assistant. A minute later Dickens went down on the edge of the penalty area, under a combined challenge from Jarryd Kelly and Neal Kinsman. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, with the Lambs players protesting that it was outside the area. Dickens converted the spot kick to give the Moorlanders the lead.

As hard as the Lambs tried they could not get an equaliser and they were left suffering another defeat when they should have got something out of this game.

There were signs of improvement in the performance, but the management would love to have all the players free from injury and available for selection.

One plus that came out of this game was that Andy Meeds has not lost any of his ability, or agility, as he gave a tremendous performance on his return to the side and was man of the match for the Lambs.

This Saturday the team travel to bottom club Liskeard and a result is a must, if the team are to have a chance of getting out of the relegation places.