Throgmorton League Cup

Plymouth Parkway 7

Tavistock AFC 2

THE Lambs suffered a heavy defeat in the second round cup tie at Bolitho Park.

Parkway who are undefeated this season and are strong favourites to take the league title this season really put the Lambs to the sword in the second half.

The first half was an even affair with both sides serving up some great football for the large crowd.

It was the visitors that spurned a great chance to take the lead in the sixth minute when Jarryd Kelly was brought down just outside the penalty area. Paul Quinsy free kick was brilliantly saved by the keeper, and when the ball fell to Dan Pethick his shot went agonisingly inches wide of the target.

Parkway took the lead in the 14th minute when a shot from Luke Rudle came back off the woodwork into the path of Ryan Richards to fire into an empty net. Jamie Blatchford then came to the Lambs rescue eight minutes later when he made a great save to deny Richards from increasing the home teams lead.

The Lambs deservedly equalised when Dan Pethick made a penetrating run through the middle and was crudely brought down 25 yards from goal. Lee Blatchford's free kick was met by Jamie Ahern to power a header into the net.

Play was end to end with some great passing by both teams, but once again the Lambs paid the penalty for some poor defensive play.

From a corner kick the ball resulted in a poor clearance falling to ex Lambs player Mike Landricombe volleyed home from 18 yards.

The Lambs then had a couple of half chances but the home keeper made two very good save to deny the visitors, giving the home team lead 2-1 at the interval.

The Lambs experienced Paul Quin could not take part in the second half as a result of a pulled hamstring and was replaced by young Johnny McGowan.

The second half was a different affair with Parkway in command for long periods. The home team increased their lead when the Lambs lost the ball just outside the Parkway penalty area, and their counter attack was swift and decisive, with great movement that resulted in Ryan Richards having the easiest of tasks to fire home.

Things got worse for the visitors when Dean Southcott brought down Levi Landricombe, for Will Stringer to fire home the spot kick.

As this was a cup match the Lambs continued to push forward, and once again got done by a wonderful counter attack, with Ryan Richards completing his hat trick.

Then for once the Lambs had a little bit of good fortune when Parkway keeper Ben Elphick made a howler, when he dropped the ball and then pulled down J Kelly to give the referee no choice but to award a penalty kick, which Lee Blatchford calmly lashed home.

But it was the home team that added to their goal tally with Richards getting his fourth and Levi Landricombe sealing the well earned victory.

Parkway were the better side on the day, but the game was never really as one sided as the score suggests.

The Lambs can now concentrate on putting some results together in their league programme.

n Tavistock have been drawn to Oxfordshire side Kidlington in the FA Vase on Saturday, November 16, kick-off 3pm. Anyone wishing to travel to support the Lambs call 07875 604526 for details.