FA Cup extra preliminary round

Gillingham Town 5

Tavistock AFC 0

THE Lambs failed at the first hurdle in this year's FA Cup competition to a Gills side that had already recorded two great league victories prior to this game.

The understrength Lambs were without key players Glyn Hobbs, Andy Meeds and Jarryd Kelly and were late arriving at the ground in Gillingham, Dorset, due to the closure, in both directions, of the A303 — arriving only 15 minutes before kick off.

There was little to choose between the two teams during the first half, with Tavistock showing that they could match their opponents from a higher league. Both Shane White and Dan Pethick went close with fine efforts in the opening 15 minutes.

The home team opened the scoring in the 20th minute when a corner from the left found Jack Vallis unmarked in the penalty area, and he powered home a terrific header into the roof of the net giving Jamie Castle no chance. Once again the Lambs had been found wanting defensively from a set piece — a problem that cost the team a number of times last season. The Lambs created a couple of chances, but failed to find the target, and went in a goal down at the interval.

The second half started off much the same but in the 54th minute Matt David was adjudged to have tripped Matt Chant in the penalty area, and Lee Gale expertly tucked away the spot kick.

Then in the 68th minute came the real turning point in the game when the Lambs thought they had reduced the arrears as Dan Pethick found the net, unfortunately the referee had already blown for a free kick for the Lambs as John Wyatt was fouled as he crossed the ball into the penalty area.

To make matters even worse from the free kick the ball was cleared, and the home broke on a counter attack, with the Lambs short of numbers at the back, Matt Chant took full advantage and fired home a thunderous shot from 15 yards, giving goalkeeper Jamie Castle no chance.

The visitors were now committed to all out attack, to try and earn a replay. This left them open to counter attacks which Gillingham took full advantage. In the 77th minute the game was over as a contest when Nick Compton ran onto Gales through ball to make it 4-0. The home team now dominated the play and in the 83rd minute Matt Chant grabbed his second to make it 5-0, and complete a miserable day for the Lambs.

Although the score line flattered Gillingham, over the 90 minutes they were the better team on the day, and deserved to progress to the next round.

The home team had the distinct advantage of having already played two league games, winning both decisively, and they looked like a side full of confidence, while this was the Lambs opening competitive fixture.

The Lambs must now put all their efforts into getting some good results in the league before their first round F A Vase match in September.

On Wednesday, August 22 the first team are at home to Bovey Tracey, kick-off 7,30pm in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier.