Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Tavistock AFC 1

Witheridge 1

TAVISTOCK'S challenge for honours this season took another knock when they were held to a draw by a Witheridge side that worked and competed for every ball.

The performance of the home team in the first half was only average, and the game was a scrappy affair with neither side gaining any dominance to create scoring opportunities.

The manager's half-time team talk stirred the home team into action in the second period, and the Lambs put the Witheridge defence under real pressure.

However, it was the visitors who had the first opportunity to open the scoring when Richard Lamacraft shot high and wide when well placed 12 yards out.

The Lambs took the lead in the 70th minute when Andy Bowker lost his marker and rounded the second defender to shoot low into the corner past the advancing Chris Wright from 18 yards.

The home team continued to attack the visitors' goal and should have increased their lead when Will Stringer dragged his shot wide of the post from 15 yards. Shortly after the same player rose majestically to out-jump the visitors' defence, only agonisingly to see his powerful downward header from ten yards go narrowly wide of the target with the visiting keeper well beaten.

The Lambs were made to pay for these missed opportunities. In the last minute of normal time the visitors broke out of defence and Richard Groom made room down the right flank to cross to Matt Snell, who was completely unmarked at the far post and his header went back across Meeds inside the far post.

Tavistock will consider this to be two points lost rather than a point gained, and although it was not the performance they have been accustomed to, it was a marked improvement on last week.

However, the other teams in contention for honour all had results ending in draws; only Bodmin Town won. This means the Lambs have not lost ground on the other teams. Bodmin look to have the title truly in the grasp, but the Lambs are still in frame to take runners-up spot.

• This Saturday Tavistock visit Newton Abbot Spurs, kick-off 2.30pm. Tavistock Second team visit Biscovey, kick-off 2.30pm.