Carl Throgmorton Devon Premier Cup

Tavistock AFC 1

Watcombe Wanderers 3

THE Lambs were defeated by the holders of the Devon Premier Cup, Watcombe Wanderers. who deservedly ran out 3-1 winners at Langsford Park. The home team paid the penalty for a poor first half performance, with all the goals being scored during this period.

The visitors showed their intent from the off and almost took the lead in the opening minute, when a fine cross from the left wing found Booth, but his header just cleared the cross bar. The Lambs started to get their game going and in the 10th minute they opened the scoring when a cross from Carlton Farnham was half cleared, the ball fell to Kelvin Fyneboy who fired home from eight yards.

A defensive mistake in the 19th minute resulted in the visitors equalising, as a shot which was well saved by Martin Piper in the home goal, rebounded kindly into the path of Booth, who slotted the ball home from six yards.

In the 25th minute a fine move down the right saw a Farnham cross find Fyneboy, but his header was saved by the visitors' goalkeeper.

Poor defending in the 30th minute saw the visitors take the lead. A long ball from defence down the middle was not dealt with by the two central defenders put Sean Finch in on goal; he coolly slotted the ball past the advancing Piper into the net. The Lambs had a good chance to level the scores in the 38th minute, when a good move saw Kelvin Fyneboy go past two defenders, cut into the penalty area before squaring the ball to Farnham but his effort was well wide of the target.

Things got even worse for the Lambs, when virtually on the stroke of half time Watcombe increased their lead. Once again, poor defending allowed Booth to get his second of the afternoon and leave the home team a mountain to climb in the second period.

The Lambs started the second period with a lot more desire and started to put some pressure on the visitors' defence, but they performed admirably keeping the home team at bay. In the 55th minute Ian Rooke and Luke Doddridge replaced Lewis Edwards and Chris Maskell.

The home team were getting some success down the left flank and Doddridge was soon in the action, when he shot inches wide of the target following a good move with Josh Robbins. Minutes later Fyneboy for Tavistock had a shot well saved, before a fierce drive from Doddridge flew past the near post.

Watcombe were always dangerous on the counter attack as the Lambs pushed more men forward to try and get back in he game. The pace and movement of their front men caused the home team problems throughout the game. Martin Piper was called on several occasions to make smart saves to keep the home team in the game. Things got worse for the Lambs when a counter attack by the visitors saw Josh Robbins slightly mistimed his last ditch tackle. The referee awarded a penalty kick and red carded the defender for a professional foul.

Martin Piper made a superb save from the spot kick, to deny Watcombe from increasing their lead. Still the home team tried to get back in the game and they were performing admirably with ten men, still asking questions of the visitors' defence.

In the 75th minute Ian Rooke went close when he headed just wide of the target from a Dave Hallett cross. Three minutes later substitute Harry Southcott had a shot parried by the keeper but Fyneboy fired the rebound wide of the target. Both Doddridge and Farnham had shot blocked by some resolute defending, Martin Piper was then called upon to make another superb save to deny Booth once again.

In the closing minutes Fyneboy had a shot blocked, the ball fell to Doddridge, but he shot well over the bar. Watcombe saw out the remainder of the game and deservedly take their place in the next round of the competition.

This was a very disappointing performance by the Lambs, particularly in the first half when some really poor defensive mistakes saw the game slide from their grasp. It is always difficult if you give a good team a two goal lead.

On Tuesday October 21 Tavistock first team are home to Appledore, kick-off 7.30pm in the league.