Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

St Martins 0

Tavistock AFC 2

TAVISTOCK followed up their mid week 3-0 victory over Totnes and Dartington with another fine performance at St Martins, coming away deservedly with all three points. This takes the Lambs to the top of the division on goal difference with three games to go.

Third in the table St Martins were never really able to force their way into the game, against a Lambs team that was resolute in defence, commanding in midfield, and always a threat in attack.

The Lambs made the perfect start when they took the lead as early as the third minute, when they were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Dave Hallett's cross into the penalty area eventually found its way to Kelvin Fyneboy, who rifled the ball into the net from eight yards.

The home team's first real attack came in the 12th minute but Carstairs' shot was well wide of the target.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Fyneboy latched onto a terrific pass from Will Stringer, outpaced the home defence before calmly lobbing the advancing goal keeper Rock from 18 yards.

Four minutes later Fyneboy, who was causing the home defence all sorts of problems, was fouled just outside the penalty area and his effort went inches over the bar.

On the half hour the home team threatened when Pyke made a fine run down the left, his cross into the area found High, but his effort was well off target. Nine minutes later the hosts were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal, but Brook's free kick deflected off the defensive wall enabling Martin Piper to make an easy save.

Follett and Thomas then combined well to split the home defence but Follett dragged his shot just wide of the target.

Two minutes before the interval the Lambs should have increased their lead. Another great passing move found Fyneboy, who crossed into the penalty area for Chris Maskell, but he put his powerful header wide of the target to the relief of the home defence.

The Lambs started the second half with real pace in their game. Two minutes in Chris Maskell's shot on the turn in the area was well saved by Rock in the home goal. Then two minutes later the visitors were awarded a free kick; a perfect cross to the far post from Dave Hallett saw Will Stringer run from deep and head home from three yards. What looked like a perfectly executed goal was ruled out by the linesman for off side. One can only assume that someone who was not interfering with play was in an off side position.

The Lambs continued to control the play and looked the more likely to score of the two teams. On the hour Dave Hallett hit a terrific drive from 25 yards which goalkeeper Rock could not hold but his centre half was on hand to clear the danger.

Both Robins and Thomas were causing the home team all sorts of problems down the left wing; this resulted in both Follett and Fyneboy going close to scoring.

In the 80th minute Robins and Thomas carved open the home defence, but somehow Carlton Farnham failed to hit the target from three yards out.

Farnham then became provider, but this time it was Thomas that shot over when well placed. In time added on Fyneboy missed the opportunity to complete his hat trick, which his performance deserved, when he shot just over the bar wide when well placed.

No one could dispute that this was a well deserved victory by a team that carried out a game plan to perfection. Tavistock could have won even more convincingly against a team third in the table.

Management team Kevin Hendy and assistant Darren Stewart will be looking for the team to continue this form for the remaining three games, in order to keep the club's promotion hopes alive.