Devon Cup

Plymouth University ladies 1

Tavistock ladies 0

TAVISTOCK hockey ladies' first team missed out on the chance to make the Devon Cup final with this 1-0 away defeat — the only goal of the game coming in the second minute.  

With both teams locked so closely together at the top of South one league it was always going to be a close encounter but it was the home side that got the dream start with an early goal.  The students pressed the Reds' defence and forced a turn on the right hand side before an early ball into the D; the Uni forward used a good first touch to move the ball away from the advancing defence before playing an improvised reverse stick push on goal to surprise the Reds' defence as it made its way into the corner of the net.  

After that early goal, neither side had a clear attempt on goal for the remainder of the half; the home side dominated early possession and were passing the ball quickly across the back line in an attempt to get behind the usually solid Tavistock press.  As the half progressed Tavistock began to play their usual quick attacking hockey, but both defences were looking hard to break through.  

The second half continued in much the same way and it was not until the final ten minutes that the Uni won their first penalty corner of the game, Viggers only being called upon to make one save. Tavistock were forced to reshuffle the back line when central defender Jenny Pollock suffered a clash of heads with an opposing player and was unable to continue.  Tavistock almost grabbed the equaliser when the ball fell to captain Laura Armstrong but fortunately for the home side the keeper saved well to make up for the earlier error that resulted in Armstromng's attempt on goal.

 Tavistock looked the more likely side to score in the final ten minutes winning a number of penalty corners. A change in formation meant the Reds had an additional player in the midfield but they were in danger of being caught on the break. A quick counter attack for the students won them a penalty corner and with that the final whistle went, meaning Tavistock's chances of reaching the cup final had gone.  

Tavistock ladies though are currently in second place — three points behind the students but with a game in hand and a superior goal difference.