Carlsberg South West Peninsula Premier League

Launceston 0

Tavistock 1

THIS local derby between two sides either side of the Tamar again proved to be a closely contested game.

This win against fourth-placed Clarets ended a run of three consecutive defeats for the Lambs. The team included three 18-year-olds, with Paul Quin returning from injury.

The visitors made a positive start and had the better of the opening quarter of an hour, having the greater share of possession, without being able to open up the Clarets defence. The home side came more into the game after this period and started to put some pressure on the visitors' defence. The Clarets were restricted to long range efforts with Sam Davey and Dan Pethick shooting well wide of the target.

In the 20th minute Lyle broke down the left flank for the Lambs, his fine cross found young Ryan Moorhead just inside the penalty area. His magnificent first-time volley whistled past the angle of the crossbar and upright, with the home keeper well beaten.

Three minutes later a Ben Davies free kick found Moorhead. His fine cross was only inches from Carlton Farnham's reach in the six-yard area.

In the 28th minute Chris Head headed narrowly wide of the target from close range for the hosts, before Andy Meeds made a good save to deny Davey following a corner kick. The game flowed from end to end with both teams probing for an opening, but the defences were in fine form and the first half remained goalless.

The Lambs started really well in the second half as Carlton Farnham beat two defenders, and cut inside the penalty area, but his fine effort was turned away for a corner kick by the home keeper.

The visitors got their reward for their efforts in the 60th minute, with the best move of the match when Moorhead and Hallett combined well in midfield, Moorhead's fine pass sent Ben Davies on the overlap down the right flank/ His penetrating run and inch-perfect cross was met by the onrushing Aaron Northmore, who slotted the ball home from six yards to give the Lambs a deserved lead.

Ben Davies then came to the Lambs' rescue six minutes later when he cleared a goalbound shot to safety. The home team where not short of effort in an attempt to get an equaliser, but the Lambs' defence was superb and resolute, keeping the Clarets at bay, restricting them to long-range efforts.

With only minutes remaining the Clarets were awarded a free kick 20 yards from the Lambs' goal. Former Tavistock player Chris Menhenick kick beat the wall but Meeds made a comfortable save.

This was a great team performance with manager Ian Southcott coming up with a formation that worked perfectly and frustrated Launceston all afternoon. The Lambs' defence was superb with Ahearn and Quinn outstanding. Chris Evans, Josh Robins and Ben Davies were also in fine form. Dave Hallett, Ryan Moorhead, Aaron Northemore and Lyle all put in very good performances which kept the hosts' midfield in check.

Lone striker Carlton Farnham worked and ran his socks off all through out, with his pace causing the home defence some real problems all through the game. The Tavistock youngsters who came into the team all played well and showed they have a good future at this level of the game.