Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

Tavistock AFC 4

Axminster Town 1

IT was the visitors that got off to a fast start playing with real purpose in the opening exchanges, and Tavistock keeper Martin Piper was called upon to make a smart save to deny Knox from opening the Axminster's account.

The visiting Tigers were competing for every ball, by closing down the Lambs as soon as they got possession, and defending a high line up the pitch. Lewis Edwards had the first real opportunity for the home team in the 15th minute but his shot was blocked and deflected for a corner kick. Five minutes later Sean Manley saw his fine header, from a Dave Hallett free kick, flash inches past the post.

The Tigers were playing well which belied their lowly position in the league table, and were more than holding their own at this stage of the game.

Just as it looked like the Lambs were settling into some form of rhythm, Ben Vine shook the home crowd, when he latched onto a ball that split the Lambs' two central defenders and lobbed the advancing Piper in the home goal to give his side the lead, in the 25th minute.

This setback stirred Tavistock into action. Carlton Farnham out paced two defenders, got to the dead line before cutting the back to Clark on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot flew just wide of the target. The home team were now getting a real foothold in the game. Josh Robins produced a great cross from the left to find Jarryd Kelly, his shot was brilliantly saved by Garner.

Carlton Farnham then combined well with Aaron Hulme, who tried to lob Garner in the visitors' goal, but it was just to high and cleared the crossbar. Garner then denied Farnham when he tipped his fine effort over the bar.

The Lambs deservedly levelled the score two minutes before the interval, when following a corner kick, the clearance fell to Dave Hallett 20 yards from goal; he hit a magnificent arcing shot that flew in the bottom corner of the net, giving Garner no chance of saving — a contender for goal of the season.

The second half saw the Lambs up the tempo by moving the ball quicker, and this with some fine passing had the visitors on the back foot. Farnham then produced another fine run waltzing past two defenders before finding Dave Hallett 15 yards from goal but this time his shot cleared the bar.

The visitors' defence was now coming under severe pressure as the home team mounted attack after attack, so it was no surprise that they took the lead in the 65th minute, when a quickly taken free kick found Aaron Hulme who provided the pass that saw Jarryd Kelly slot the ball home from close range.

The home team were now in total control and increased their lead in the 74th minute when a shot from Aaron Hulme was deflected for a corner kick. The kick was cleared, but the ball fell to Jack Thomas who thundered the ball home from 20 yards to make it 3-1.

In the dying minutes Kelvin Fyneboy produced a fine run as he brushed aside two defenders; his fierce shot was parried by Garner in the visitors' goal, but Aaron Hulme was on hand to slot the rebound home.

The Lambs had a number of chances to increase their lead but thanks to some good defending the visitors avoided a heavier defeat as the whistle went for the end of the game.

After a slow start this was a good performance and could well have been an even more convincing win had they converted more of the chances they created in the second half.

The whole team put in a good shift with the defence looking a compact unit with Sean Manley showing his aerial dominance and looking like he is nearly back to his best after a long lay off through injury.

Both Dave Hallett and Dan Follett had really good games and showed their skills in midfield. Carlton Farnham showed off his pace and dribbling skills and this, combined with Aaron Hulme's pace and movement off the ball, caused the Tigers defence problems throughout the game.