Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Liskeard Athletic 2

Tavistock AFC 2

THE Lambs were without both regular central defenders David and Ahearn, for this local derby.

The visitors started brightly and created a couple of good chances to take the lead. Josh Robbins leftwing cross was headed just wide of the target by Dean Southcott. In the 12th minute Ian Holmes fine run down the right ended with his shot going inches over the bar.

Three minutes later Dave Hallett had a 25 yard shot tipped over the bar by the home keeper.

The Lambs failed to turn their early superiority into goals and paid the penalty as the home team came more into the game.

In the 25th minute a poor clearance from Andy Meeds fell to Chris Clarke who shot home from 25 yards with Meeds stranded. This gave the home team the lift they needed and they then had two opportunities to increase their lead.

Joe Knight hit the visitors cross bar from six yards out, before Robbie Almond shot over the bar when well placed 12 yards from goal. The Lambs thought that had equalised just before the interval when a powerful 25 yard free kick by Chris Menhenick came back off the keeper for Rooke to slot home from two yards, but the goal was ruled out for off side.

The Lambs began the second half with more urgency and put the home defence under considerable pressure. However it was the home team that increased their advantage in the 60th minute, when in a counter attack a ball was played to Andrew Neal; he crossed to Lyn Johnson who beat Meeds with a well placed shot in the corner of the net.

The Lambs reduced the arrears when a right wing cross found Johnny Wyatt free at the back post to tap home into a empty net.

The Lambs pushed forward and created several good goal scoring opportunities both Jarryd Kelly and Ian Holmes were denied by fine saves from the home keeper. Dave Hallett then fired well over when well placed.

The Lambs finally got a deserved equaliser in the 80th minute when Johnny Wyatt was pulled down in the penalty area, and Ian Holmes calmly slotted home the penalty kick.

The Lambs almost snatched a winner in the 89th minute but Johnny Wyatt was denied by the cross bar, before Ian Holmes ferocious shot from 18 yards was inches wide of the target with the keeper beaten.

This was another disappointing performance by the Lambs when once again they failed to turn the periods during the game when they controlled the play into goals.

Had it not been for the home keeper who had a very good game, the Lambs would have taken all three points.