Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

Saltash United 1

Tavistock AFC 1

THIS was a first class game in sweltering conditions, with both sides playing at a high tempo throughout the 90 minutes.

The visitors started the game well and John James shot was blocked by a defender, the ball fell to Landricombe but he pulled his shot wide of the target. Saltash showed the football that has seen them climb to second place in the league, and a flowing move saw Steve Sargison cut inside Kinsman, and draw keeper Smith, but his curling shot grazed the cross bar from 18 yards. Minutes later John James provided a great cross to Andy Sergeant but his shot was blocked by Paul Hyder the home keeper. The visitors were gaining in confidence and it was the home keeper who was the busier of the two. Hyder made a number of good saves to prevent the Lambs taking the lead; on the half hour he made a great save to deny Jarryd Kelly, then minutes later he denied Sargent from opening the scoring.

Saltash then almost took the lead but Dean Smith made a save from Clark. Shortly afterwards Cussack cut inside John Wyatt but his shot was inches wide of the target. It was end to end at this stage and Hyder again denied Sargent, before Matt Cussacks 20 yard drive flashed wide of the visitor's goal.

After the break it was the Lambs who were enjoying the more of the possession and Hyder once again denied the visitors by pulling off a fine save from Landricombe's effort.

On the hour the Lambs had two great chances to take the lead. A John James effort was blocked on the goal line, and the Ashes then had to thank Toby Clark for a fine defence block on the goal line from Sargents shot.

It was the home side that broke the deadlock in the 82 minute when a quick free kick from Johnny Morris caught the Lambs defence napping, found Gavin Coulton on the edge of the area, with his back to goal, he swivelled and fire low drive into the corner of the net. The Lambs continued to attack the home team and deservedly equalised a minute from time when a free kick from debutant Paul Quinn found Hyders clearance dropping to John James in the area and he stabbed the ball home from close range to give the Lambs a share of the points.

This was a fine performance by the Lambs, who over the 90 minutes the Lambs were the better side. There some really good individual performances, with John James edging the man of the match with his industry and leadership in mid field, an area the visitors controlled for periods during the match.